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th:e st^e. ide^^im:^. 


By T. S. DENISON. 


:PK.I0E 15 OEIsJ'X'S. 


Chicago: 
T. S. DENISONo 


NO PLAYS EXCHANGED, 



THE STAR DRAMA. 

Price, FIFTEEN CTS. EACH, Postpaid. 

This series includes only plays of the hig^hest order of merit- They are the very 
best before the public. These plays are rich in variety of incident, and spirited in 
action. The dramas combine tender pathos, delightful humor, and sparkling wit. 
. The farces are brimful of the rarest fun. 

This series is very carefully revised by an experienced editor. Each play is un- 
abridged. They are unequaled in fullness of stage directions, typography, and 
print. Every play on this list is a success. This series includes only plays suited 
* to tlie present (lay. 

AL.1. THAT eL.lTT£RS IS MOT ©OLiD.-A comic drama in two 

acts. Time, two hours. Six males, three females. 
CASTE. — A comedy in five acts. Time, two hours and thirty minutes. Five 

males, three females. 
EAST Ij1.']Sr]irE.— A drama in five acts. Time, two hours and thirty minutes. 

Eight males, seven females. 
rRlTITS OF THE WIWE CUP.— A temperance drama in three acts. 

Time filty minutes. Six males, four females. 
HOIIIE. — A comedy in five acts. Time, two hours. Four males, three females. 
ICI OW PARL.E FRAMCAIS.— A farce. Time forty minutes. Four 

males, three females. 
IK THE WRORfG HOUSE, (two T. J.'s) A farce. Time thirty minutes. 

Four males, two females. 
I'M NOT MESILF AT AI<Ii,— A farce. Time, twenty-five minutes. Three 

males, two females. 
JOHN SMITH.— A farce. Time thirty-five min. Five males, three females. 
K.ISS IN THE HARK.— A sketch. 'Time thirty minutes. Three males, two 

females. 
liADIT OF li YONS. — A drama in five acts. Time, two hours and forty-five 

minutes. Twelve males, four females. 
liARKINS' liOTE IiETTBRS.— A farce. Time, forty minutes. Four 

males, two females. 
I.OUVA, THE PAUPER.— A drama in five acts. Time, one hour and 

forU'-five minutes. Nine males, four females. 
I.IDIERICK ROY. (THE)- A farce. Time, forty-five minutes. Five 

males, two females. 
MY/WIFE'S REIi ATION8.— Comedietta. Time, one hour. Four males, 

six females. 
MY TURN NEXT.— A farce. Time forty-five min. Four males, three females. 
MY NEKiiHBOR'S WIFE.— A farce. Time forty-five minutes. Three 

males, three females. 
NOT SUCH A FOOIi AS HE TiOOKS.— A farcical drama inthree acts. 

Time, two hours. Five male", four females 
PiCRSECUTEH HUTCHMAN. (THE) -A farce. Time, fifty minutes. 

six males, three females. 
C^UIET FAMIIiY, (A)— A farce. Time, forty-five minutes. Four males, 

four females, 
REOl^IiAR FIX, (A)— A farce. Time, forty min. Six males, four females. 
ROUOH HIAMOND. (THE) (Country Cousin)— A farce. Time, forty 

minutes. Four males, three females. 
SOLDIER OF FORTUNE. (A)— A comedy drama in five acts. Time, 

two hours and twenty minutes. Eight males, three females. 
SPARK L<IN€r CUP, (THE)— A temperance play in five acts. Time, one 

hour and fortv-five minutes. Twelve males, four females. 
TEN NIGHTS IN A BAR ROOM.— A temperance drama in five acts. 

Time, two hours. Twelve males, four females. 
TOOI>L.ES, (THE)— A drama in two acts. Time, one hour and fifteen min. 

Six males, two females. 
TURN HIM OUT.— A farce. Time, forty-five min. Three males, two females. 
THE T^VO PUOHIFOOTS.- A farce. Time, forty minutes. Three 

malee, three females. 
UNDER THK LAURELS.— A drama in five acts. Time, one hour and 

forty-five minutes, Five males, four females. 



NewPlaTs. 



T. S. DENISON, Publisher, Chicago. 



The Danger Signal, a drama in two acts, by T. S. Deni- 
Eon. Time, i hour, SO minutes; 7 males, 4 females. 

Wide Enough for Two. a farce, byT. S. Denison. Time, 
50 minutes; 4 males, 2 females. 

The Joke on Squinini,(or the black statue), 30 minutes; 4 
males, 2 females. Negro farce, by "W. B. Sheddan. 



THE DANGER SIGNAL 



A Drama in Two Acts 



B'X" T- s. x:):H32sriso35r. 



AUTHOR OF 



Odds with the Enemy; Initiating a Granger; Wanted, a Corres- 
pondent; A Family Strike; Seth Greenback; Runs Von 
Smash; Borron-ing Trouble; Two Ghosts in White; The 
Pull-Bark : fjonntry Justice; The Assessor; The Spark- 
ling Cup; Louca, tlie Pauper; Our Country ; The 
School 31 a' am; The Kansas Immigrants ; The 
Irish Linen Peddler; Is the Editor In? 
An Only Daughter; Pets of Society ; 
Too Much of a Good Thing; 
Hard Cider; Wide Enough 

for Two, Etc., Etc. _ 



C I— I I C A O O 







OP WAS'rA'.^^ 



T. S. DEHISOH, Publisher. 

Copyright, 1883, by T. S. Denison. 



CHARACTERS, 



Chas. Norman, 

Enfield, alias Williamson. 

CuESTKu Norman. 

Db. Valerian. 

Peter Bullock. 

Pat Mallonet. 



Persimmon. 
Stella Enfield. 
MoTUEU Foresight. 

Miss Angle. 

NORAH. 



Time of 'playing^ one hoiw, fifty minutes. 



COSTUMES, MODERN. 

Stage Directions.— i? means right (the actor facing the audience); L, left; 
C, center, etc. The flat is the movable part which forms the rear of the 
stage. The window in this play need not be practicable. 

iV^oi(?.— Thunder is produced by rattling a largo piece of sheet-iron ; light- 
ning by blowing finely powdered rosin into a flame, or by means of the prep- 
aration for that purpose. 

OUTLINE FOR PLAY-BILL. 

ACT I. 

Stella and Chester Norman. Enfleld warns Stella. Wreck of the "North- 
ern Belle." Valerian's ingenious theory discovers Enfield's secret. Enfield's 
burning desire for revenge. The plot. The storm. The rescue. 

ACT II. 

Enfield implicable. Peter's ludicrous jealousy. Stella fears insanity of 
her father. Another attempt on the elder Norman's life. Enfield's terrible 
remorse. The "boys" take Peter "pickerel sticking."' Norman's peril. The 
danger signal. 

SY NOPS IS- 

Mr. Norman had in early life succeeded by questionable means in obtaining 
a colonelcy which Enfield would otherwise have obtained. To make amends 
Norman afterward has Williamson, alias Enfleld, appointed captain of the 
steamer "Northern Belle," which is wrecked. Norman, who thinks W. 
wrecked the vessel intentionally, had him arrested, and W. flees from justice. 
He had at the time of the wreck rescued Stella, who is really Norman's 
daughter, and left her at an obscure place on the Great Lakes. He afterward 
takes her with him to Bald Point, where'he makes aliving by keeping summer 
boarders, fishing, etc. The wreck of the vessel and loss of many lives, to- 
eettier with his wrongs, gradually prey upon Enfield's mind till Stella fears 
Insanity. Mother Foresight knows his secret. Chester Norman is on the 
Lake Survey and becomes acquainted with the Enfields. Charles Norman, 
his foster father, calls to see him and is recognized by Enfield. He and Dr. 
Valerian, who is a pretty thorough knave, allow Norman to depart in a small 
boat with a squall coming on. Mother F. gives the alarm and Norman is 
saved. In the second act Enfield plots to throw Norman over a cliff with the 
tacit acquiescence of Valerian. Mother F. again frustrates their plan and the 
whole denouement is precipitated. 

Enfield's whole soul is possessed by the desire for revenge. In the scene 
where he meditates for a brief time the allowing Stella to marry Chester 
Norman, her own brother, as he supposes him, the opportunity for acting is 
very fine. His part is strong throughout. 

Persimmon and Pat afford unlimited fun. Altogether the characters 
are very evenly balanced. There is not an unimportant part in the play. 



THE DAHGEE SIGHAL. 

Time, the iDvesent. Place, the Great Lakes. 



j^cDrn I. 



Scene. — Pine Island on the "- Great Lakes. ^^ House of En-field, 
a sort of summer-resort. Room plainly hut neatly furnished. 
UhairSy so7ne very plain, some better but worn. Sofa ioioard R. 
rear. Table L. by flat with papers and books. Map of North- 
west on flat G. May also have some attractive steamboat or 
railroad advertising cards. May have some rustic work such 
as ferns in loreaths on walls. The lohole must be the plain 
adornments of a home rather than the public parlor of a hotel. 
Window with curtains in flat G. Poors R and L. 

Pat. (Taking up the basket.) Have ye put in the cowld ham, 
Norah ? 

Norah. To be sure au' I have. 

Pat. An' the chicken ? 

Norah. Yes. 

Pat. An' the bread an' tlie butter an' the praties ? 

Norah. Praties! {Laughs.) Did ye iver hear the likes o' 
praties at a picnic ? Pat Malloney, you're exposin' your igno- 
rance, ye are, an' makin' a spectacle of yourself. 

Pat. I've seen worse things in the woods than cowld praties 
after trampin' all day. 

Norah. What I'd like to know? 

Pat. The absence of them to be sure. 

Norali. [Busy packing the basket.) Hould your blarney and 
lind a hand to the packin'. Did ye bring the pop from the 
cellar ? 

Pat. Aye, I did. These people who come up here to spind 
the summer for their health consume a dale o' pop and chicken. 
There's Mr. Bullock will want a half dozen bottles, and Miss 
Angle will want a half dozen bottles, and Mr. Chester 

Norah. Stop your slander, Pat. Doesn't Mr. Enfield adver- 
tise quiet lodgin's by the lake, game from the forest, and the 
sparklin' waters of Mac-a-chack spring ? 

Pat. To be sure he does, but I'm of the notion that if he left 



4 THE DANGER SIGNAL. 

out the spring an' advertised a pop-factory it would be more 
conjanial to the boorders. 

Norah. What's the difEerence, Pat, what the boarders drink 
as long as they pay well ? 

Enter Stella, R. 

Stella. Norah, is everything packed ready to start ? 

N. I think it is, Miss Stella. Pat, carry the basket to the 
cellar to keep cool till we're ready. 

iS. Pat, can we impose on your kindness to drive the pony 
and the buck-board up to the picnic grounds V 

P. Howly saints ! I wouldn't drive that pony past the edge 
of that cliff for all the picnics between here an' Dublin. But 
I'll jist put it on me shoulder and carry it up. {Shoulders 
basket.) 

S. I'm afraid it's too heavy. 

P. Faith, I'm thinkin' that compared with liftin' green logs in 
the pineries all day, this basket is a mere trifle. {Going.) 
Come on, Norali. 

N. Indade an' it's not with the loikes of ye I'll be walkin' to 
a picnic. {Exeunt R.) 

S. Father has one of his strange spells to-day. I am almost 
afraid to leave him alone. I dread something, I know not what. I 
had a queer dream last night in which a strange man was 
lying in a pool of blood, and father was fleeing for life as if he 
were the murderer. {Shudders.) It's dreadful. Tliis long- 
continued anxiety is wearing on my nerves. I know dreams 
are all nonsense, but I can't help thinking of them. And then 
Mother Foresight has repeatedly warned me that a great danger 
hung over me. 

Enter Enfield., L. 

E. Ah, you are here, Stella! I have been looking for 
you. 

S. What did you want, father ? 

E. I wash to speak with you, girl. Are you going to that 
picnic to-day ? 

S. Yes, father. 

B. Is Chester Norman going ? 

S. I believe he is. 

E. He calls here often of late. 

S. His duties as engineer on the coast-survey make it neces- 
sary for him to visit all the different points on the shore fre- 
quently. 

E. Do they make it necessary for him to take his meals here 
when he might as well go to the Pine Island House where he 
belongs? {A pause.) Stella, beware of his attentions. He oc- 
cupies an important government position. Doubtless he has 
wealth. He certainly has influential friends. You are a poor 



THE DANGER SIGNAL. 5 

country girl. It is base in him to amuse himself at your ex- 
pense. 

S. Base! Father, Mr. Norman is a true gentleman. 

JS. I suppose he is a gentleman, as such things go now-a-days. 
But consider the difference between you. Discourage him. 
(Tenderly putt ing his hand on her shoulder.) Stella, if anything 
should occur to make you unhappy it would break my heart. 
You are all I have in this world. 

8. {Taking his hand.) Dear father, I will always try to be 
worthy of your love, and will do nothing contrary to your 
wishes. 

E. I can trust you. Go now and get ready for the picnic. 
{Exit 8. R.) Life has some blessed compensations after all. 
That girl's devotion is the only ray of sunshine that penetrates 
the blackness and despair of my life. Betrayed, ruined, and a 
fugitive from justice, what am I! Ah, I am still her protector, 
though she is not my own flesh and blood ! There is still some 
pleasure in life when I can live for her. 

Enter Dr. Valerian, L. 

Dr. Good morning, Mr. Enfield 1 

E. (Starts.) I thought you had already joined the pleasure 
party. Valerian. 

Dr. No, I'm in no hurry. I kept my room this morning to 
arrange my memoranda concerning some strange psychological 
phenomena which have occurred in my experience with some 
of my patients lately. Psychology is a wonderful study, En- 
field. 

E. Indeed ! What does it treat of ? 

Dr. Of the mind and its workings, of the soul and its secret 
motives. 

E. {Drily.) Rather a deep subject, I should say. Mostly 
guess-work, isn't it ? 

Dr. Not at all, sir. It is gradually being reduced to the con- 
ditions of an exact science. (With somewhat of importance.) I 
think my own labors have contributed no little toward that end. 
I have advanced several important theories, some of which have 
been verified in a startling manner. 

E. Indeed ! Mention some of them. 

Dr. For example, it is \vell known that the face, the form, 
the gait, the actions, all indicate character. I go a step further 
and evolve the doctrine of consequences. Every human being is 
constantly bound by a network of influences wdiich are the di- 
rect results of his own past acts. A man can no more escape 
these consequences than he can — if you will excuse the figure — 
swallow his own head. (Walks to R.^ He must be Capt. Will- 
iamson of the "Northern Belle." 

E. I don't understand you. 

Dr. I'll explain further (aside), and try my theory (advancing 
to E. G.) Every good deed is photographed, as it were, on the 



6 THE DANGER SIGNAL. 

soul, also every base deed. When the good are numerous we 
ox^erlook tlie base ; when the base predominate we often fail to 
see the good. But the keen observer may read them all. We 
will suppose that a man has been guilty of some great crime 
and has repented. 

E. {Pacing the floor uneasily.) Well, get to the point. 

Dr. We will suppose he has repented and is now a good 
man. 

E. Well! {Looking Dr. in face.) 

Dr. I hold that the inquirer who cares to do so may throw 
the rays of his dark lantern on that particular picture and 
bring out all its ghastly ugliness. 

B. {Starting) Nonsense! 

Dr. No nonsense at all. I will show you how. We will 
suppose the crime was murder. 

E. " Murder will out " 

Dr. Just so ! We will suppose it is burning a house, for in- 
stance. 

E. Which I fancy would not out. 

Dr. Not too fast ! We will suppose it was wrecking a vessel 
{E. starts) to plunder it of costly goods, or {loith deliberation) 
running it on a dangerous rock to be revenged on the owner, 
thereby destroying many lives of innocent men, women and 
children. 

E. {Excitedly.) My God! do you think anybody is fiend 
enough for that ? 

Dr. Oh, I'm only supi^osing a case. We will suppose that 
the crime was the base betrayal of a friend. 

E. {With suppressed feeling.) Curse the man who will do 
that. 

Dr. So say I. 

E. (Wishing to change the subject.) Dr., we are wasting the 
day here in idle suppositions. It is time you were starting for 
the picnic grounds and I must be at work. 

Dr. True, it is getting on in the day. {Looks at watch."* I 
must be off. {E.vit L.) 

E. {Pacing floor.) This Dr. Valerian is a charlatan, but no 
fool. Can it be possible that he recognizes in me th^ Captain of 
the " Northern Belle," that ill-fated steamer which was wrecked 
with such dreadful horrors ? What a fatality has attended my 
life! Robbed in early manhood of a lucrative position by a 
smooth-tongued, traitorous friend ! Ah, Charles Norman, the 
sufferings and mistakes of \my life shall be requited on you, for 
your treachery caused them. " Not satisfied with blighting my 
early prospects, you allowed the weight}' charge of a dreadful 
crime to be brought against me. My beautiful, angelic wife, 
maddened by disgrace, ^lied in a maniac's cell. My poor old 
mother breathed her last a pauper. {With strong emotion) Oh, 
what an awful responsibility is laid on the soul of Charles Nor- 
man. Curse him ! I'll be revenged yet. 



THE DANGER SIGNAL. 7 

Enter Mother F. R, 

E. Even the dumb brute will fight for its young or its life. 

Mother F. Mr. Enfield, such feelings can only lead to crime, 
shame and remorse. 

E. {Starting.) Ah, is it you ! I am already a criminal in the 
eyes of the law. 

Mother F. But not in the eyes of God, nor in the eyes of those 
you know best. 

E. Pooh ! A clear conscience may satisfy some people, but 
not me. It will not restore lost dear ones, nor place me in the 
high station I once occupied. 

Mother F. But it gives sound slumber. 

E. {Scornfully.) Much you know about it. as 1 can testify 
who have tossed sleeplessly many a flight. 

Mother F. That is because your heart is not right. Henry En- 
field, I believe you to be an innocent and wronged man so far 
as the past is concerned, but so long as you entertain these wild 
feelings of revenge you are a criminal at heart. Beware ! Con- 
quer them or they will yet bring you to a base end. 

E. {Laughs scornfully.) Mother Foresight, you claim to read 
the future in presentiments. If you cannot read the future with 
more certainty than you can judge the past and present, I have 
no use for your predictions. Good morning. {Exit L.) 

Enter Norah R. 

Mother F. So I get only hard words for good advice. 

Norah. What's the matter, Mrs. Blake ? 

Mother F. Mr. Enfield treats me as if I were only a strolling 
Gypsy. I know that dreams and presentiments do foretell the 
future. Did I not urge the Captain of the "Peninsula" not to 
sail in that storm V I told him that he never would take his ves- 
sel into port, and he never did. Enfield treats me like a common 
fortune-teller. I have been almost a housekeeper for him for 
fifteen long years. Many a time I have left my own work at 
home to run over here and help Stella. Poor thing, she was 
only a child. And she needs advice yet. There's a great burden 
on her shoulders. 

N. Indade she has a dale 'o work. 

Mother F. Work is nothing to trouble. I have always been 
a sort of mother to Stella, and I shall still be, for the young 
always need advice. When we are the only families on Bald 
Point I think we ought to be sociable like. 

Enter Pat L. 

Pat. Are ye goin' to the picnic. Mother Foresight ? 

Mother F. Why should an old woman like me be going to a 
picnic ? No, Pat, picnics are for young folks. 

Pat. Ould folks might go just to give a little importance to 
the occasion. 



8 THE DANGER SIGNAL. 

Mother F. No, Pat, I'll leave all that to the fine visitors from 
the city. 

N. Miss Angle and Mr. Bullock and Dr. Valerian. 

Mother F. The Doctor! {Wilh air of mystery.) Just keep an 
eye on the Doctor. {Exit B.) 

Pat. That Docther is as full of thayories as wather is full of 
moisture. 

N. Thayories, what's that, Pat? 

Pot. It's a new fashioned disase, Norah. An' if it onct 
sntrikes in nothin' but dynamite will get it out. 

N. Och ye think ye can blarney me, talkin' of disases. Just 
as if ye knew anything at all about disases. 

Pat. Say, Norah, 1 want to move the pravious question. 

N. What's that, I'd like to be knowin' ? Pat, is it crazy ye 
are ? Has the Docther turned ye into a crank like himself ? 

Pat. Wouldn't I like to be a crank ? Because dy'e see when 
you wanted the choores done all yez nade do would be to turn 
the crank. 

N. Faith the first turn I'd make would be to turn the crank 
out o' the house. 

Pat. Will ye answer the pravious question ? 

N. If ye shpake in riddles I'll have nothink to do wid ye. 

Pat. I asked if you would go to the picnic with me ? Just to 
see, ye know% if I carried the basket straight. 

N. This is a free country, an' how could I help meself if you 
wanted to walk along the road at the same time ? 

Pat. {Edging close to her.) Suppose I should walk purty 
close to yer up there by the cliff where the road is a trifle dizzy ? 

N. I suppose I couldn't help meself. The road is none too 
wide there. 

Pat. An' suppose I had the basket on one arrum, like this, an' 
the other arrum should shlip round yer waist, like this {puts 
arm round her), just to kape ye from fallin', ye know ? 

N. {Demurely.) It would be dreadful to fall over that cliff, 
so I suppose I couldn't help it. 

Pat. An' suppose I should look into yer eyes like this? {Sud- 
denly snatches a kiss.) 

JSf. {Shoving him headlong.) What else are ye goin' to sup- 
pose? 

Pat. {Straightening^) Faith I suppose ye will break me neck 
if you try that again. 

Enter Peter Bullock and Miss Angle L. 

Peter. Pat, we shall start at once and meet at the crystal 
spring. I believe you attend to the transportation. 

Pat. Yis, sur, I'll take the transportation on me back. 

Miss A. {Affectedly.) Mr. Bullock, why do you mention de- 
tails ? The servants will attend to all those horrid details. 

Pat. The sarvfnts, is it ? I thought meself a free man an' a 
volunteer, but faith I'm only a sarvent it seems after all. (Aside.) 



THE DANGER SIGNAL. 9 

She's forgotten the time when she was only a chambermaid in 
Chicago. 

Peter. I was only giving a few general directions, Miss Angle. 

Miss A. Mr. Bullock, please desist. You make me nervous. 

Peter. {Alarmed.) Are you ill. Have a seat, Miss Angle. Let 
me fan you. {She is seated.) 

Miss A. Norah, go and get my smelling salts. 

N. Yis, ma'am. Exit N. R. 

Pat. {Aside.) Begorrah she's high! orderin' people round 
like a gang of nagurs. 

Miss A. {Spooney) Now, Peter, you know I am not anxious 
on my account, only on yours. I so want you to enjoy your- 
self to-day, and I know you will he very tired if you see to every 
thing, Peter. 

Pat. Yis he'll peter out. 

Miss A. Why here is that impertinent Irishman. I thought 
he had gone. 

Peter. You may go, Pat. 

Pat. Sor ? 

Peter. You may go. 

Pat. Go where ? 

Peter. Anywhere so you go. 

Pat. Yis, sur. {Going L.) 

Miss A. Now, Mr. Bullock, you must not carry a single thing. 
You know it is a whole quarter of a mile to the grounds. 

Pat. {Aside.) When he was in the ould rag business he could 
carry a load five miles. {Exit L.) 

Peter. You mean a quarter of a whole mile, don't you, Sophie ? 

Miss A. {Banter ingly speaks with a lisp.) Why, Peter, ymi 
naughty fellow! that is unkind. You know we city folks haint 
used to walking, and ihere isn't a carriage within one hundred 
miles of this place, I believe. I should have had one shipped 
here but they say the roads are very poor in the woods. I 
wouldn't mind the expense, of course. 

Peter. The expense of making roads might be considerable ! 

Miss. A. {With air of affected 'weariness.) Yes, I 'spose so. 

Peter. It won't hurt me to carry your fan, will it, Sophie ? 

Miss A. No, I guess not, Peter. 

Peter. {Edging closer to her.) And you'll lean on my arm just 
a little passing the cliff. You know the road is really danger- 
ous. 

Miss A. Peter, your arguments are so convincing. {Loud 
cough heard outside. They quickly separate.) 

Miss A. I think that is Dr. Valerian. 

Peter. What a coxcomb that fellow is ! 

Miss A. He is quite a lady-killer. 

Peter. He thinks he is. 1 venture if he found you alone here 
he would make love to you in two minutes' time. 

Miss A. And why shouldn't he ? 

Peter. Why shouldn't he ! {Aside.) That's cool. I'll try her. 



10 THE DANGER SIGNAL. 

(Aland.) He's coming in. To prove my assertion I'll just give 
him a cliance. 

Miss A. {Tndifferently.) Just as you choose 

Peter. Enoueh said ! (Exit R.) 

Miss A. Dr. V. may have more money than Mr. Bullock, who 
knows ? 

Enter Dr. Valerian L. 

Dr. Ah ! good morning, Miss Angle. 

Miss A. Good morning. Dr. Valerian. 

Dr. It is a pleasure to meet you thus. I thought you had 
already gone up to the grounds. I started once but was delayed 
by a little business. 

^ Miss A. I was just on the point of starting. But as I shall 
have to wait awhile I will not detain you. {Peter slips in unob- 
served and gets behind curtains or under sofa, as is most convenient) 

Dr. It is a pleasure to be detained in such company. 

Miss A. {C oquettislily .) You men are all alike. You pretend 
to think a great deal of us girls. 

Dr. Pretend! It's real. Miss Angle, I assure you. {Ap- 
proaches.) AN^hen a man looks into such line eyes as yours he 
can't think otherwise. ^ 

Miss A. {Demurely.) I 'spose not. 

Dr. {Suddenly turning away.) 'Spose not! Elegant language 
that. {To Miss A.) It would be very agreeable if we could walk 
up to the grounds together. 

Miss A. That would be quite so nice. 

Peter. {Getting angry, growls aside.) Mighty nice. 

Dr. Miss Angle, I was very sorry to hear that you blistered 
your hands yesterday rowing. {T^.es her hand to look at it.) 

Peter. Confound his impudence. 

Dr. It's too* bad you should suffer so. I have a " healing 
balm " for the skin. It is my own invention. {Assumes impor- 
tant 2yrofessional air.) It's the result of one of my theories of the 
transmutation of organic force. By the way, I have a new theory 
touching the social phases of woman. {Stillholding her hand.) " 

Peter. {Groans.) So have I. 

Miss A. Mr. Valerian, are 3^ou aware that you are holding my 
hand ? 

Dr. Why, so I am, so I am. {Does not release it.) Some peo- 
ple pretend to tell fortunes by reading the lines of the hand. 
Now I go farther. 

Peter. Too far, you villain ! 

Dr. As I was saying — 

Enter Persimmon suddenly L. Miss A. quickly retreats icith a lit- 
tle scream. 

Per. Beg pardon, Mistah Docter. Didn't know you had a 
patient. Ax yer pardon, too, Miss Angler. 
Dr. Miss Angle, Persimmon. 



THE DANGER SIGNAL. 11 

Per. 'Sdat so ? (Boios.) All right ; nex time I'll git de right 
angle onto dat name sure. Miss Stella jes tole me to tell you it 
wa"s time to be gwine, for you see de time are expirin' with con- 
siderable alacrity. Dat is if de Doctor thinks you are well 
enough to go. 

Miss A. I feel better now, thank you. 

Peter. Good Lord ! 

Dr. It was only a slight derangement of the cuticle. (Exeunt 
L.) 

Per. De cute ickle ! What in de world is dat organ fur. Won- 
der if dat haint somo of de runnin' gear of de stummick, or some 
whah in de innards. Dat Doctor is a smart chap. I heerd him 
talkin' de order day of de human antimony. I b'leive he can 
give de name of all de giblets an fixin's in de whole body. 

Peter. Deuce take the nigger ! 

Per. {Whirls round.) Did you 'dress me, sah? Why, whah's 
dat man ? (Looks puzzled.) 

Peter. 1 shall choke. (Per Whirls.) 

Per. Dat sounds like de voice of a dead man. Wonder if its 
de ghost of dat man what was killed on de island in '69 ? 

Peter. A capital idea! I'll try it (In a deep sepulchral voice, 
slowly.) I'm doomed to walk the earth and harrow up the souls 
of guilty men. 

Per. Boss, you don't harrow de soul of me if I knows it. 
(Bolts out panic stricken L while Peter hastily exits R.) 

Peter. (Going.) Oh, woman! thy name is — condemn it! 

Enter Chester meeting Persimmon outside. Brings him in again. 

Chester. Persimmon, what are you in such a hurry about? 

Per. Well, you see, Mr. Norman, I thought I heerd you call- 
in' me. 

Ches. (Laughs.) I never knew you to respond with such alac- 
rity before. 

Per. 1 didn't know but you was in — in a state of alacrity, too. 

Ches. What's the matter. Persimmon ? you look just as you 
did when tne bear chased you up at Gull Point. 

Per. In fac', I don't feel very well dis mornin'. I feel a sort 
of — of — prescription of de bilious canal. 

Ches. Oh, I understand! You want a vacation. All right; 
you go with Pat to-da3^ There will be a swing to nx and boats 
to get out. 

Per. All right, Mistah Chestah. (Ooing L. Aside.) I wouldn't 
let him know I was scared for 'leven dollars an' a half. (Exit L.) 

G. I can see why that nigger played sick to get excused from 
duty for the day, but hang me if I see why he risked his neck 
in gettin' out to meet me in such haste. 

Enter Stella L. 

C. Good morning, Miss Enfield. 

8. Good morning, Mr. Norman. I heard you had gone No"th 
on business. (Busies herself arranging paijers on table, etc) 



12 THE DANGER SIGNAL. 

G. I expected to do so, but liave postponed my trip for a few 
days. I have called to-day to see if I might have the pleasure of 
joining your party this afternoon. 

8. We should be pleased to have you with us. 

G. I have an engagement to meet an old friend at the " Pine 
Island House," which will prevent my arriving early. 

8. I will delay dinner till your arrival. 

G. Thank you. You are very kind. And may I hope for a 
sail in one of those little boats all by ourselves ? 

8. Perhaps ! 

G. Stella, my surveying party will move up the lake in a few 
days. 

8. I'm sorry for that. 

G. Before I go I have something to tell you. {Approaches 
her. They come down G.) 

8. Mr. Norman, what you have to say might better remain 
unsaid. 

G. But I love you truly. 

*S'. Remember I am only a poor orphan, while you have rich 
friends, and I doubt not are rich yourself. 

G. Yes, you are poor, Stelia, in the world's wealth, but rich in 
all that constitutes true womanhood. Neither am I very rich. 
Many years ago my father met a very severe loss in the wreck of 
his fine propeller steamship, the " Northern Belle." That loss, 
with other reverses, left him only a moderate fortune. 

8. (Shudders.) The " Northern Belle," did you say? 

G. Yes ; why do you ask ? 

8. It was such an awful wreck. I have heard father and 
Mother Foresight speak of it. It always seemed to depress 
father even to hear of it. 

G. It was dreadful, but let us return to pleasanter subjects. 
Stella, I love you too well ever to give you np. 

E7iter Enfield R. 

E. Are you stealing interviews with my daughter, Chester 
Norman ? I took you for a gentleman. 

G. {Proudly.) So I am, Mr. Enfield. Do you dispute it ? 

E. No, Norman. I was hasty. But you know we are plain, 
poor people, and I would know more of strangers before I admit 
them as intimate friends of the family. 

G. I am ready to give any guarantees of my character which 
you wish. 

E. Some other time then, Norman. Just now I wish to speak 
a fe"w words with Stella. 

G. Then I will bid you both good day. {Exit L.) 

E. Stella, did Norman say he loved you ? 

8. Yes. 

E. I'm afraid no good will come of this. Do you love him? 

8. Yes, father. 

E. Are you sure of it ? 

8. Father, I love him very dearly. 



THE DANGER SIGNAL. 13 

E. Foolisli girl ! What made you give way to an absurd sen- 
timent like this ? Norman is rich and aristocratic ; we are poor. 

S. He is not so rich as you think him. His father lost most 
of his fortune when the "Northern Belle " was wrecked. 

E. {Starting molently.) The "Northern Belle." Stella, there 
is some — some mistake. 

8. Why, how strange you act, father. Are you ill ? 

E. No; there is nothing the matter with me. {Musing turns 
up stage.) Why did I not think of this before? But there is no 
resemblance between them. 

8. Did you know his father ? 

E. Yes, I ; that is I saw him once or twice. Stella, did 

he tell you this ? 

8, He did, to-day. 

E. And he really loves you ? 

8. I know he truly loves me. 

E, {With wild laugh.) Then let him love you, the more the 
better. Let him know the heart's deepest joy. I have no fur- 
ther objections. You shall be married. Ha! ha! ha! 

8. {Alarmed.) Dear father what is the matter ? {Aside.) At 
times I fear for his reason. 

E. {Muttering half aside.) These Normans are proud and 
merciless. Let him taste bliss and then walk in the deepest 
paths of shame and disappointment. 

8. Father, what is the matter? Speak to me. Are you 
sick? 

E. {Still in soliloquy.) Ah, that will be a sweet revenge! So 
let it be. {Stella jylaces her hand on his shoulder. He looks in her 
face a moment^ then suddenly arouses himself) What did I say, 
Stella? 

8. I think you are not well, father. 

E. {Relapsing into moody state, paces stage.) That would be 
a hideous revenge. But the girl — whom I love as my own — 
{fiercely). She is my own. (Shudders.) That would be horri- 
ble. Stella, what did I say? 

8. {Soothingly.) Never mind, you will be well in a few min- 
utes ; you are only dizz3^ 

E. 'Dizzy! I'm not dizzy. My head is as clear as it ever 
was. Did I give my consent, Stella ? 

^S'. Yes. 

E. Then I recall it. You can never marry Norman. Think 
no more of it ! 

Enter Mother F, uiiobserved, L. 

8. But we love each other. 

E. {With feeling.) Don't say that. Don't say it. It can 
never be. 

8. Father, you are cruel. 

E. {Tenderly taking her hand.) Aye, as cruel as the grave I 
might be, but not to you. I would shed my last drop of blood 
to shield you from harm. 



14 THE DANGER SIGNAL. 

Moth. F. Stella, leave your father with me. I wish to speak 
with him. {Exit 8. R.) Enfield, you are queer again to-day. 
You should not give way like that before Stella ; you frighten 
her. 

E. Mrs. Blake, you know my secret, but you little know, you 
never can know, the horrible burden of it. To-day I was again 
reminded of the whole dreadful occurrence. Can you blame me 
for being queer as you call it? 

Moth. F. But you brood over it and give way to feelings of 
revenge. 

E. You are wrong. I have even now throttled the demon of 
revenge. 

Moth. F. Since you are innocent why fret about it? The 
bui«den of those souls gone to a watery grave lies not on you, but 
on the unskillful pilot who ran the vessel on the rocks. 

E. I was captain and should have been on deck. Appear- 
ances were all against me. Everybod}^ believes me guilty 

Moih. F. You're mistaken. I don't for one. 

E. Pooh! Who are you? Only old "Mother Foresight," 
who has a sort of reputation for " second sight " among the sail- 
ors of the lakes. 

Moth. F. No matter; I'll make people believe you inno- 
cent. ' 

E. Pshaw ' What can you do ? 

Moth. F. I'll put a piece in the papers. Then people will 
know they've wronged an innocent man. 

B. {Laughs.) That's very good ! Who believes the papers ? 
Besides, what can 3^ou say beyond the fact that you think I've 
been ill treated. No, let the matter rest. Keep it out of the pa- 
pers, and above all don't tell Stella. {Going Z.) 

Moth. F. True, I had forgotten her. 

E. Be careful. Guard my secret. {Exit L.) 

Moth. F. Poor man, he'll go crazy yet I'm afraid. 

Re-enter Stella R. 

Moth. F. Your father is only a little queer to-day. He's all 
right now. 

8. Mother Foresight, can you tell fortunes ? 

Moth. F. Stella, do you think I am a strolling gypsy? 

8. No, Mother, I did not mean that. I beg pardon if I of- 
fended you, but you believe in spirits, do you not ? 

Moth. F. Indeed I do, child, for I have seen them with my 
own eyes and felt their wonderful power. 

8. Then tell my fortune ! 

Moth. F. You know not what you speak of. What do the 
spirits know about your future ? 

8. I thought they might know. 

Moth. F. Nay, the power to foretell the future of a human be- 
ing, or to predict great events, belongs to a higher power than 
the spirits of mortals. It belongs to the Great Unknown who 



THE DANGER SIGNAL. 15 

made the spirits. His secrets are not to be idly sought by incan- 
tations and crossing the hand with a paltry piece of silver. They 
cannot be bought, but are revealed through dreams and the gift 
of second sight. You would learn of a lover ? 

S. Why, Mother ! 

MotJi. F. I can read the thoughts of a young girl. There is 
one who loves you well, and another whose love — did he really 
love you — would prove a poison. 

S. I do not understand ! 

Moth. F. The first is Chester Norman, the second is Dr. Va- 
lerian. Beware ! your path is beset with difficulties. 

S. Pooh ! Who cares for that quack with his everlasting 
theories? 

Moth. F. He would like to pay you some attentions. Beware 
of him ! He is a base man. {Exit B.) 

8. Mrs. Blake evidently thinks Dr. Valerian cares something 
for me. Pshaw ! He knows better than to make love to me. 

Enter Br, V, L. 

Dr. Ah, good morning. Miss Enfield ! How charming you 
are looking to-day. 

S. Do not waste your compliments. Doctor. 

Dr. A compliment is never v/asted on a good-looking wo- 
man. 

S. Do you mean they are all such ninnies as to swallow ev- 
ery stale compliment they hear ? 

Dr. Oh, no, not at all. I meant that beauty is always de- 
serving of compliment. 

S. But ill-timed compliment is in very bad taste. 

Dr. Very true. Miss Enfield. I beg your pardon if I have 
offended. But do you not join the pleasure party to-day? 

S. Yes, I shall go later. 

Dr. Why later? Is it not downright cruel to deprive us of 
your society ? 

S. Doubtless you will get along very well with the young 
ladies from the Island House, and with Miss Angle. 

Dr. Pooh ! The young ladies of the Island §ouse are very 
dull and common-place compared with the ladies of Bald Point. 
As for Miss Angle, I hand her over to the ex rag-dealer and now 
man of pleasure, Mr. Bullock. 

8. In speaking of the ladies of Bald Point, do you mean No- 
rah. Mother Foresight or myself ? 

Dr. Mother Foresight,, indeed ! Why, that old hag 

Enter />., MotJier F. 

Moth. F. Is here at your service. 

Dr. The dev Oh, I did not mean to be personal. 

Moth. F. Thank you. Doctor, for your compliment. Stella, 
doubtless you are very busy so I will entertain the Doctor. 
Pr. {Aside.) Confound her impudence ! {Going aside. L.) 



16 THE DANGER SIGNAL. 

There's a secret in this house. It may profit me to unearth it. 
I'm sure I recognize Enfield. 

iS. I have some work that demands attention. (Mother F. and 
Stella speak a few icords apart R. Exits R.) 

Dr. Now," old woman, what do you want? 

Moth. F. Old woman ! You're very polite. I want nothing 
of you. 

I)r. That's a — {Hesitates.) 

Moth. F. Oh, say it if you choose. You can no more hide 
your nature than tlie hyena can hide his. 

Br. (Aside.) I'd like to throttle her. (Aloud.) I forgot. I 
should have prefaced my question with a piece of money. (Tries 
to put money in her hand.) 

Moth. F. ' (Angrily sends money a flying.) I tell you I'm no 
fortune-teller. I make a decent living by my own efforts. I 
don't want yoii/i' money. 

Ih\ (Trying to conciliate.) All right! Never mind. My mis- 
take was very natural, you know. Mother Foresight. I've heard 
that sometimes your prophecies are very remarkable. 

Moth. F. My prophecies! I cannot prophesy. Presenti- 
ments come to me. I cannot bring them at m}^ call. 

Dr. Oh, indeed ! So I see. That is a case that comes within 
the province of psychology. I myself have some ^heories in re- 
gard to that matter. 

Moth. F. I have heard that you have some wonderful theo- 
ries. 

Dr. Well, yes ; that is to say — I think I have. (Aside.) I'll 
try one. (I'o Mother F. in professional tone.) Mother Foresight, 
I believe every act, every emotion, every thought of the human 
organization is based on some previous experience. The thirsty 
man dreams of water, the murderer of a gibbet, the miser of 
money, and so on. You have dreams and presentiments. You 
told the Captain of the "Peninsula" not to sail. (Suddenly.) Haven't 
you been in a shipwreck sometime? 

Moth. F. (Coolly.) Theories will do when they hit, but some- 
times they miss. I never was in a shipwreck. Dr. Valerian, I 
have a theory. Listen to me. What will be the dreams of this 
man. He was young and handsome. He had every advantage 
of birth, intellect, education and family influence. " He lacked 
nothing but principle. His oily tongue won the heart of a beau- 
tiful, trusting girl, whose love he soon threw aside as a shattered 
toy. (Dr. une(fsy paces floor.) Not content with neglecting his 
wife he wislied to be rid of her. (iShef ices Jiim, front.) He 
brought a shameful charge against her and drove her from him. 
She and her child died in a public hospital. 

Dr. (Aside.) Curse her theorv. (To Mother F.) And what 
of all this? 

3Ioth. F. What of it? What do you think of such a man ? 

Dr. (Going L.) Oh, a man like that, if there be such a man, 
must be a— rather heartless, I should think. (Exit L.) 



THE DANGER SIGNAL. 17 

Moth. F. I guess the Doctor will not measure theories with 
me again. He little thinks that I know his history well. {Exit H.} 

Enter Pat and Persimmon L. 

Per. It's mighty queer dat Mistah Chester don't put his ap- 
pearance into dat picnic. 

Pat. Be aisy about young Norman. He'll take care of him- 
self. Faith, Mr. Simmons — 

Per. (Bows ])olitely.) Pd?'simmon ! 

Pat. All right, Mr. Per Simmons. What is the Per for ? 

Per. To go wid de simmons. Jes as in Malloney de Mai 
goes wid de loney. 

Pat. Bedad, how could ye git the Mai away from forninst the 
loney? I'm thinkin' a nagur's name is like a Swede's. It's one 
thing wid the father and another wid the son, but how the divil 
they tell which is whicli is what no Christian can find out. 

Per. Dat's mighty easy! 

Pat. How ? 

Per. Case de father is mos ginally older 'n de son. 

Pat. Faith an' did ye niver hear "It is a wise father that 
knows his own son"? But we must be stirrin' an' git out the 
traps. Did ye iver hear of a picnic bein' made when it didn't 
rain? Persimmon, we must be after hurryin'. We've a dale o' 
things to git. Ould Bullock wants his oil-skin cap an' his top 
boots an' his rubber coat an' the big umbarel. Faitli they must 
be gittin' ready for Noah's flood. 

Per. xln' Miss Angle wants her gossamer, I reckon, n' her 
umbarel 'n her gum shoes n' her parasol 'n her top boots 'n her 
bangs 'n — 

Pat. Shtop, wait till I think. We must be gittin' off for we 
have to drive round the road. Mr. Bullock, bad luck to him, 
wants the hig tent, too. 

Per. Hadn't we better haul up de house ? 

Tat. Faith I think so. 

Per. An' mebbe he'd like de island. 

Pat. Hould yer tongue, won't ye, while I'm thinkin' over the 
list of things. ' You go out into the woodshed and git the big 
tent an' I'll show ye how to tie it up. I'll git the other appurtain- 
ances mesilf. {E.rit Per. R. after tent. Pat sits and is jotting 
dow7i things with a pencil, sticking it int * his mouth every word, he 
writes. Reads:) " The tint, Mr. Angle's coat, ditto top-boots, ditto 
oil-skin cap, ditto — 

Enter Per. carrying an enormous roll. 

Per. Dat tent 's a load fur a mule. Mistah Malloney, you's 
got to carry dat tent. 

Pat. Bother to ye, hould yer tongue while I'm thinkin'. Ditto 
Miss Angle's umbarel, ditto her big fan, ditto her gum boots, 
ditto — 

Per. Say, Paddy, dat's more ditto than I'm gwine to carry. 

Pat. If you don't hould yer pate I'll break it. Now you un- 



18 THE DANGER iSIGNAL. 

roll that tent and roll it up tight and tie it while I git the rest of 
the things. {Qoinq H.) 

Per. l3ay, Paddy! 

Pat. (Tuniii/fj back.) What is it, ye African haythen . 

Per. Don't forgit de ditto. 

Pat. (Afiide, going P.) Faith I'll break that nagur's neck yet 
before the day is over. (Exit P.) 

Per. (Business of getting the tent into a tight roll.) Jerusalem, 
dat's a big tent. (Bg squeezing and draioing the ropes hejinaUu 
gets it into a ludicrous large bundle. The bundle should be padded 
loith old clothes or blankets^ and look very large) Dat's big enough 
to start a circus in. 

Re-enter Pat loith an immense armful of gum boots., overshoes, um- 
brellas, imlm fans and odds and ends. 

Pat. It takes a dale o' convaniences to satisfy the wants of 
city folk. Here's ould trash enough to run a camp meetin'. 

Per. You forgot somethin', Paddy. 

Pat. What's that, nagur ? 

Per. The boot- jack! 

Pat. Tlie boot-jack! Merciful powers ! Who wants a boot- 
jack in the woods ? 

Per. How's Mistah Bullock gwine to change boots an' no boot- 
jack? 

Pat. It's little I cares how. I'll not be makin' a gallery slave 
of jnesilf for no man. 

Per. Don't you mean a gallon slave ? 

Pat. Plague take your questions. Shoulder the tint an' we'll 
1)6 off. 

Per. You carry de tent an' I'll carry de ditto. 

Pat. The tint is much the asiest load. 

Per. I'll give you de easy then. I'll be generous. • 

Pat. It's only a shtep to the wagon. Pick it up. 

Per. Pick it up youhself. Didn't I tell yer it was a load for 
a mule. 

Pat. You black imp, its insultin' me ye ar. (Strikes at Per. 
and so scatters his own load, in wild confusion over the floor.) Ye 
villain, ye're not fit to associate wid a gintleman. 

Per. (Laughs.) Haint seen one lately, Mr. Malloney. 

Pat. Will ye hilp me showlder this load ? 

Per. Of cose I will. (Pat takes hold of roll as he would shoulder 
a sack of grain. Per. takes hold of the other end, and by a sudden 
toss throws it clear over Pafs shoulder.) 

Pat. Aisy now. What are ye doin' ? (Business of lifting 
again. This time Per. does not lift much.) Ye're not liftin' a 
pound. Now up with it. (Per. gives t?ie roll a sudden shove and 
sends Pat spraicling vyith the bundle on the floor.) 

Per. Golly, I didn't think 1 was liftin' so hard. 

Pat. (Jumping up) Ye blackguard, I'll put a shtop to yer 
tricks. (Bushes at Per. who makes for the door, but runs against 



THE DANGER SIGNAL. 19 

Dr. Valerian^ loho enters L, and nearly tqjsets him. Br. sends him 
sprawling on the floor.) 

Dr. What the deuce are you doing, fellow V 

Per. We were jes' carryin' de things out to de wagon. 

Dr. Well it's time you were at it. You have been half an 
hour doing what could have been done in five minutes. That 
tent is needed in case of sudden rain. Come, stir yourselves. 

Fat. Yis, sur. {■Shoulders tent and toalks out L. Business of 
Per. 2nckijig iq) and drojyping things.) 

Dr. Persimmon, Chester Norman is coming across the bay in 
a boat, so you'd better be lively. 

Per. Dat's so! {Suddenly gets everything ready and exits L.) 

Dr. The air is very close to-day. I shouldn't wonder if that 
thunder cloud in the west brought a cyclone. 

Enter Ghas. Norman L. 

N. I beg pardon, sir, for this intrusion, but I see no one else 
about the premises. 

Dr. They have all gone to a picnic except the proprietor. 

N. Do you belong here ? 

Dr. Yes, that is if a boarder of fifteen years' experience can 
be said to belong anywhere. 

N. Exactly so. I am stopping over at the Pine Island Plouse. 
Came to-day on the U. T. Propeller. Do you know a young 
man here on the coast-survey by the name of Norman ? 

Dr. Chester Norman? Oh, yes, know him well; he was 
here half an hour ago. 

N. I W' ish to see him. He is my son ! 

Dr. {Becognizes Norman hut conceals surprise.) Ah, indeed ! 
I'm glad to see you. {Here is my card.) 

N. {Heads, " Dr. Valerian, Psychologist, Mesmerist and Mind 
Reader.'') Glad to know you, Doctor. 

Dr. Thank you! {Aside.) He's not changed much in twenty 
years. I'll try my theory. Shall you stay awhile, Mr. Nor- 
man V 

N. I believe so, Doctor. 

Dr. Glad of it. I shall have another intelligent companion 
at times possibly? 

iV^. The pleasure will be mutual, sir. Have you made a 
special study of the phenomena of the mind ? 

Dr. Well, yes. Lately I have been devoting my spare time 
to one particular line, the interrelation of thoughts and the doc- 
trine of influences and consequences. 

iV. Ah, I do not quite understand ! 

Dr. To be explicit, I believe that every act of our ancestors, 
from the first man down, influences our own acts — that we never 
can escape the consequences of our own acts, and that a secret 
influence links the wronger to the wronged in spite of him- 
self. 

N. There is reason in it, bn* isn't the influence so small 
usually as to be imperceptible ^ 



^0 THE DANGER SIGNAL. 

Dr. I claim not. We will take the example of that parent 
who, for lack of other work, compelled his boys to wheel a lot of 
bricks from one side of the yard to the other all day long. 

N. A salutary lesson! It would keep them out of mis- 
chief. 

Dr. But the boys will never forget those dreary hours of 
labor and the uselessness of the task. Bricks are stubborn 
facts. 

N. Exactly, but such lessons are wholesome. I believe in 
discipline at any price. Human nature needs a hard taskmaster 
as a rule. Speaking of bricks reminds me of a little incident in 
my own history. 

Dr. {Turning away — aside.) I've got him. {Gomes toward 
N.G.) 

N. When I was a Colonel during the late war, a worthless 
fellow was brought to me for cheating his messmates at cards. 
I just ordered him loaded up with, eighty pounds of bricks, and 
had him march up and down the railroad track five hours. 
There was no more gambling in that mess. 

Dr. {Turning away—a>iide) I remember it, curse him. {To 
N) What was the effect on the man ? 

N. Why, my remembrance M^as that he fainted at the end of 
four hours and lay in the hospital a week. But he got a lesson 
he never forgot. 

Dr. Doubtless he did. {Aside) Haughty and hard as ever ! 

Enter Enfield, L. 

E. Doctor, I'm afraid we shall have a sudden storm. 

Dr. It looks so. {Turning to N.) Mr. Norman, allow me 
to introduce Mr. Enfield, our proprietor. {E. starts but instantly 
recovers himself.) 

N. Glad to make your acquaintance, Mr. Enfield. {Advances 
as if to shake hands.) 

E. {Suddenly turns away as if to look out.) Good day, Mr. 
Norman. {Aside.) The traitor ! {To Dr. and JV.) I fear a 
heavy rain. 

N. Then I think I must go at once. I rowed over in a little 
skiff that doesn't need much wind to capsize it. 

Dr. It is hardly safe to start now. It is three miles to the 
Island. 

N. Oh, I pull a good oar. I can easily make it. I must be 
back to the Island House to dine with some friends at half- past 
two. 

E. It's hardly safe. 

N. I've no fears! I'll take a look at the sky. {Exit L.) 

E. Charles Norman, by all that's good and bad ! 

Dr. Then you know him ? 

E. Know him! He ruined my life. I hate him. 

Dr. So do I. He once shamefully humiliated me in the 
army. The fool will be drowned if he starts in that boat. 



THE DANGER SIGNAL. 21 

Enter Mother F, unobserved L. She crouches in window, behind 
the curtains. 

B. Let him drown. The world is well rid of such men. 

Dr. No, Enfield, that would not do. His conduct does not 
deserve that. 

E. {Fiercely.) 1 tell you he does deserve it. He has taken 
life. My wife died a lunatic, crazed by my disgrace. My old 
father died a pauper. I am an outcast. Now let him die. Be- 
sides, we have warned him. He is in God's hands. 

Dr. No, I cannot let him drown, though I'd like to see him 
well punished. What have you against him ? 

E. That's my own aflEair. You gave him fair warning. 

Dr. And so did you. {It grows dark on stage.) 

B. Yes, it is now his own affair. 

Dr. But it looks like murder. {At the word murder there is a 
brilliant flash of lightning followed by an appalling clap of thun- 
der. Both start.) Did you hear that ? 

E. Do you think I have no ears ? It is too late now, Vale- 
rian. He is already well out on the water. (Exeunt L.) 

Moth. F. And that's the plot to let the poor gentleman drown 
like a rat. But I'll save him. Oh, what can I do! The men 
are all absent but those two fiends. What will not the unholy 
passion of revenge lead men to! The life-boat! But there's no 
one to man it ! 

Re-enter picnickers in disorder, L. 

Peter. {Supporting Miss A.) Are your nerves much unstrung 
by the shock? 

Miss A. Oh, yes, they are quite unstrung. Support me, Pe- 
ter. {They cross and exit E.) 

Per. Dey're 'bout gone, I guess. 

Moth. F. Where's Mr. Chester? 

Per. He's a comin' a 'scortin Miss Stella. 

Moth. F. Get out the life-boat, quick! 

Pat. The life-boat, is it ? Thin there's sombody drownded ! 

Moth. F. He's not drowned yet. Don't wait an instant I 
Hurry ! 

Enter Chester and Stella, L. 

Moth. F. Oh, hurry, Mr. Norman! The gentleman who 
called to see you is crossing the bay and will be drowned ! 

Ghes. It is my father! My God, he will be lost! Come, 
boys. {Exeunt all but Mother F. hastily, L.) 

Moth. F. They'll save him yet. 

Enter E. and Doctor, R. 

E. What have you been blabbing, old woman ? 

Moth. F. I've been saving a poor man from death by drown- 
ing, and I've been saving you, Henry Enfield, from the crime of 
murder. 



33 THE DANGER SIGNAL. 

E. {Hoarsely.) Have ii care ! Do you know what you are 
saying? {Raises Ms hand threateningly.) 

Moth. F. For shame, Enfield ! Would you strike a woman ? 

E. {Groans and falls in chair) No ! no ! My God ! my God I 
What am I coming to ? 

Moth. F. And as for you, Dr. Valerian, so called, I know 
you and your career of duplicity. This last deed would im- 
prison you for life. 

Dr. What! Do you threaten me ? I'll throw your worthless 
carcass over the rocks into the breakers if you say another 
word. 

E. {Rising goes between them, G.) Be still. Valerian. Mrs. 
Blake, have mercy on me. Never reveal this scene. Tliink 
what I have suffered. The demon for the time conquered 
me. {Gontinued thunder and lightning till curtain drops.) 

Dr. Are you fool enough to trust a woman's tongue ? 

E. Yes, I can trust Mother Foresight. She has ever been 
true. Will you promise never to reveal this scene ? 

Moth. F. {Facing them front, G.) I promise. Go and sin no 
more. {Doctor defiant. E. boics his head in silence.) 

SLOW CURTAIN. 



.A.OT II. 



Scene. — Same as before. Discovered Doctor Valerian and En- 
field. 

Dr. That was a narrow escape for Norman yesterday. 

E. The fool ! He would have been fixed in five minutes 
more. His little shell swamped just as the life-boat reached 
him. 

Dr. He has learned a lesson he will not forget soon. 

B. I'll teach him another if he stays around Bald Point. 

Dr. Enfield, has not this gone far enough ? Mrs. Blake al- 
ready knows our attempt. It is unsafe to make a second. The 
first could have been attributed to his own foolhardiness. The 
next would be on our own heads. 

E. Are you a miserable slave to be treated like a dog '? Did 
he not impose a shameful and painful punishment on you ? 
Was it a mere joke to carry a heavy load of bricks for hours in 
the boiling sun till you fainted from exhaustion and lay in the 
hospital for weeks ? 

Dr. {Fiercely.) Enfield, don't mention bricks to me again. 

E. Oh, then, you remember your wrongs ? Are you man 
enough to avenge them ? 

Dr. Norman is a purse-proud, haughty old aristocrat. Some 
day I'll cane liim soundly in public," but I'll not help to kill 
him. 

K. My wroiiiis requir-* deeper vengeance. Norman, by 
treacherously taking advantage of information which I like a 



THE DANGER SIGNAL. 23 

fool confided to him, became a colonel by the very means which 
I relied on to elect ine. The regiment which I was instru- 
mental in organizing by a trick became his. He became a gen- 
eral, and by the aid of a speculating friend became rich. 1 re- 
mained at home poor. When the war closed Norman built the 
fine propeller " Noithern Belle." As a sort of recompense he 
offered me the command. Necessity and the entreaties of my 
wife prevailed and I assumed command. One night in a heavy 
gale an incompetent helmsman ran the ship on Knickle Nic 
Point. In half an hour she was a total wreck, and many lives 
were lost. 

Dr. I know all about it. I was aboard the vessel. 

E. (Starting.) What ! -you aboard the " Northern Belle " ? 

Br. Yes, I witnessed all the horrors of that night. I recog- 
nized you the first time I saw you. 

E. {Facing floor.) Don't speak of it. It will drive me mad. 
I still can hear the raging of the surf and the cries of the drown- 
ing. 

Dr. Why should you feel so when it was no fault of yours ? 

£!. I should have put a better man at the wheel and kept the 
deck myself. Norman believed I did it through revenge, for 
he well knew my spirit. I was prosecuted, released on bail and 
fled from justice. My wife went mad. (Turning fiercely on Doc- 
tor.) Now, do you think I have no cause of revenge on Nor- 
man? 

Dr. Keep cool, Enfield. You certainly have suffered deep 
wrongs. But then you have the approval of your conscience 
while Norman doubtless may not. Now I have a theory that 
when one man wrongs another 

E. Perdition on your theory. 

Dr. Eh ? 

B. Your theory, like yourself, is a fraud. 

Dr. (With air of offended dignity.) What do you mean, sir ? 

E. Don't put on airs with me. Dr. Valerian. From what 
Mother Foresight said last night I think you are not exactly a 
lamb. 

Dr. Mother Foresight ! If she blabs any more I'll throttle 
her, the old hag! 

E. No you won't. The man who strikes her strikes me. 
Remember that. But we'll drop this subject. I see you are 
willing to fawn at the feet of Norman. 

Dr. I fawn at no man's feet. 

E. You are free to go when you please and pocket big fees 
for medical advice. I only hope it's good advice. I must stay 
here in poverty, an outcast from society. I'll get even. (Ex- 
it M.) 

Dr. That man is a perfect demon when aroused. I wish he 
would cut old Norman's throat. (Exit L.) 

Enter R.y Peter and Miss A. 
Miss A. Peter, what a dreadful storm that was yesterday. 



24 THE DANGER SIGNAL. 

Do you think there will be another to-day ? (Miss A. seated on 
sofa.) 

P. Really I can't say. If the weather should remain un- 
settled and dark clouds should come up suddenly as they did 
yesterday, we probably would ketch a storm, I reckon. 

Miss A. (Affectedly.) Oh, I'm so 'fraid of a cyclone! Ain't 
you, Peter ? 

P. AVell, Sophie, I can't say I like to have them fooling 
round. 

Misa .4. What would we do if a cyclone should come. Really, 
I think I should lose my senses. 

P. It wouldn't make any difference. They would be of no 
use to you. Sophie, what do you say to a boat ride this after- 
noon ? 

Miss A I'm afraid, Peter. Just think of that gentleman's 
bein^- fished out nearly drownded. I know I should look dread- 
ful limpsy if I should have to be pulled out that way. 

P. We could tow you ashore first and then pull you out 

Miss A. You horrid thing! 

/*. I'm sorry the storm drove us home yesterday, we were 
having such a delightful teet-a-teet. 

Miss A. Peter, can you never learn to pronounce correctly ? 
It's tayt-a-teet. 

P. No matter ! Call it tater-teeter or teeter-tater. That's what 
It was, anyway. At the house here I seldom can snatch a mo- 
ment with you alone. 

Miss A. (Languishes.) Oh, Peter! 

P. It's so ! It drives me to distraction . 

Miss A. Why, Peter ! 

P. Sophie, won't you name the time when you'll be mine V 

Miss A. Now, Peter ! 

P. My heart is bursting. Relieve my anxiety. 

Miss A. You, Peter! 

P. Speak, madam, to the voice of love I Speak, oh, speak to 
this poor heart ! 

Miss A. Really, Peter! 

P. I shall go mad if you don't. 

Miss A. Peter, Peter, Peter ! 

F. (On his knees.) Distill one drop of the balm of love into 
the wound of this poor heart! 

Miss A. (Bather sharply.) Peter! 

P. What, dearest ? 

Miss A. I'm not a distillery. 

P. (Jumping up.) Why didn't you say so at first. You're 
cruel, you're heartless, you're false ! 

Miss A. Mr. Bullock, Peter 

P. (Angrily.) Confound your Peters! Here I've been lay- 
ing my love at your feet, and all you can say is (imitates her), 
*'AVhy, Peter," "Oh, Peter," and " Peter, Peter." I tell you, I 
won't be poor Petered. I'm not poor Peter. I've a bank account 
of one hundred thousand dollars Isn't that worthy of respect :^ 



THE DANGER SIGNAL. 25 

Miss A. {Slightly alarmed.) Mr. Bullock, you are mistaken. 
I meant no disrespect ; of course I respect you. 

P. Is that all V 

Miss A. Why, no. Didn't I tell you I loved you? But you 
are so— so — in such a hurry. Don't press me. 

P. That's all nonsense. Somebody else has been pressing 
you. It's that Valerian. I'll break his head. 

Miss A. Why, Peter 

P. Now, don't you say " why, Peter," again. 

Miss A. {Pouting.) You are unreasonable and jealous, and I 
don't care whether I marry you or not. {Rises and comes 
down C.) 

P. {Passing to R.) I know what I'm talking about. Let me 
put a flea in your ear. The Doctor is sparkin' you and Stella 
and two or three girls over at the Island House all at once. 

Miss A. What do I care for that. He's nice, anyway. 

P. I'll break his head. 

Enter Doctor, L. 

Dr. {Boios politely to Miss A.) Good-day, Miss Angle. I 
hope you are well after your fright of yesterday. 

Miss A. Quite as well as could be expected. You know I 
am naturally very delicate. I think I consist chiefly of nerves 
— and — and — sensibility. 

P. {Aside.) Confound his impudence ! 

Dr. Let me prescribe for you. {Takes her hand to feel her 
pulse.) Your pulse is a little high. I've a theory 

P. Doctor Valerian, are you aware of my presence ? May I 
express the wish that your theories were all in {pause) Ja- 
maica ? 

Dr. {Pretending he had not seen P.) Why, how are you, Bul- 
lock ? Will you allow me to say that my theories have already 
traveled much farther than Jamaica? 

P. Unfortunately they did not stay there. 

Dr, No, they are still traveling. {Turning to Miss A.) ^liss 
Angle, I had not completed your diagnosis. {Attempts to take 
Miss A.'s hand) 

P. {Stepping between them.) Miss Angle, don't you remember 
we were going boat riding ? 

Dr. {Adroidy separating them.) Mr. Bullock, this is a nro- 
fessional case. {Takes her hand again.) 

Miss A. There is no hurry, Mr. Bullock. 

P. Yes, tbere is {Shoves he - 1 ward the door— gets between 
theyn.) Professional case be hanged ! 

Miss A. Peter, do be calm! 

Dr There is a lady present. 

Miss A. And a gentleman. 

p. Where is he? {They both laugh heartily.) I tell you, 
madam, 1 11 not be laughed at. 

Miss A. Peter, you are unreasonable. The Doctor is present 
only in a professional capacity. 



26 TPIE DANGER SIGNAL. 

P. It took him a long time to feel that pulse. 

Dr. Its an intricate case. {Gets between them.) Miss Angle, 
I think there is slight tendency in your system toward melan- 
cholia. You should seek cheerful societ5^ 

Miss A. (Simpers.) Why, Doctor, I was a real butterfly at 
home. 

Dj. If it wasn't for the cares of business I should like to be 
a butterfly, too, and flit from flower to flower in such charming 
society. 

P. I never was in the butterfly business, but I guess I can 
play it. (Imitates motion of filling.) Come, now, let's go for that 
boat ride. There may be a squall later in the afternoon. 

Miss A. Your impatience to go is very absurd. 

Di\ Must we lose your charming society here ? 

P. (Aside.) I will break his head. (To Miss A.) When a 
thing must be done do it at once. That's my motto. [Takes he?' 
by the arm,.) 

Miss A. By-by, Doctor ! 

Br. Au revoir! 

P. (Stares at Dr. who turns aioay R.) Did he swear at me? 

Miss A. Oh, no, Peter; that's only a medical term! {Ex- 
eunt L.) 

Dr. Ha! ha! ha I What a fool he is, and what a coquette 
she'd like to be. He's as jealous as if she were a princess. She 
used to be sensible enough when she was a chambermaid in the 
Garden City Now, since she has fallen heir to a fortune, she is 
a fool. Such is the power of money. She's struck with me, 
and the only question in her mind is whether I've as much 
money as old Bullock. Ah, the girls always liked me ! (Struts 
admiringly.) 

Enter Nor ah li. 

Dr. Howd'y do. Nor ah ? I hope you are well. 

N. Very well indade, sir ; I've no mind to be a doctor's pa- 
tient. 

Dr. Doctors are not what they used to be. 

N. More s the pity. Faith, if the breath was clane gone out 
o' me body I wouldn't consult a travelin' doctor. 

Dr. Probably not. Now let me give you a little advice, No- 
rah. You are a good, sensible girl." 

N. Sinsible girrel. An' whin did you make that discov- 
ery? 

Dr. I can read human nature at a glance. 

N. An' so can I. 

Dr. I like frank, simple, honest people. 

N. Indade! The simpler the better, I suppose. 

Dr. And above all, give me the true-hearted Irish girl. 

N. What are ye wantin' now with your taffy ? Is it a thay- 
ory you have ? 

Dr. Never mind the theory. I'll tell you what I want. Does 
Stella see Chester Norman often ? 



THE DANGER SIGNAL. 37 

N. (Laughs.) Do you tliink a fine, womanly, true-hearted 
Irish girrel would be answerin' such a question off-hand ? Doc- 
tor, that thayory won't work. 

I)j\ All right ; there are other ways of knowing. 

Enter Pat i2, as Doctor exits L. 

Pat. What did the docther want ? 

N. Nothing at all. 

Pat. Then he's up to some divilment, for that's just the case 
with a man who wants nothing at all . The doctor is a sly one 
and.plays havoc with famale hearts. 

N. An' do you suppose I care for the doctor ? 

Pat. Av coorse not when I'm to the fore mesilf. 

N. Yersilf! Pat, you've a dale of concate. Do ye 'spose I 
cares for the likes of ye ? 

Pat. Norah, ye're jokin'. Don't ye know that we were made 
for each other? Oh, I wish I could shpake like Mr. Bul- 
lock. 

N. Ye're silly enough now, Pat. 

Pat. He goes off like this : " Light o' me eyes, spirit o' me 
sowl, and tormint o' me heart, I'm dyin' 

N. (Laughs heartily.) Pat, j^e'll be the death of me if you 
kape on. 

Pat. (Aside.) Faith, I knew that would fetch her. (Oets 
close to Norah.) Ye're my jewel, my pearl, my diamond ; my — 
my — my — [Norah laughs)— ye're my tobaccy box 

N. (Gives him a slap.) I'm nobody's tobaccy box, I'll have 
ye understand 

Pat. (Aside.) Be jabers, I said too much! Norah, I meant 
ye was a gold tobaccy box with a diamond lid, and hinges 
of what the deuce are the hinges of ? 

N. Never mind the hinges! I won't be a tobaccy box at all, 
mind you. Now I must be off to my work in the kitchen. (Kxi'.) 

Pat Bother to the girrels. If ye try to plase them and fail 
they don't like it, and if ye don't try to plase them and fail they 
like it still worse. 

Enter Persimmon L. 

Per. Hello, Pat! 

Pat. What do ye want. Persimmon ? 

Per. Seen anything o' Mistah Chester 'round hyah, today? 

Pat. No, but if he's not been here ye've only to wait awhile 
to find him. He's purty sweet in his ways with Miss Stella. 

Per. Dat's a sweet gal. (Smacks his lips) 

Pat. An' what right have ye to be sayin' so ? 

Per. Say, Paddy, did you know dis was a free country ? Now, 
ef I chooses to 'spress any 'pinion dat 'pinion holds good so long 
as it don't trample onto de constitution or circumwent de liber- 
ties ob de press. Well, when I say dat gal's a uncommon nice 
gal I mean it, and de feller dat disputes it better stan' from un- 
der, dat's all. 



28 THE DANGER SIGNAL. 

Pat. I'll agree with you there, if ye are a nagur. 

Per. {Aside.) Nagur ! I golly, dese foreigners are sassy. 
Say, Mr. Malloney, when I speaks to you I calls you by youah 
propeh epitaph. When you speaks to me, Persimmon is good 
enough ; needn't put on de mistah 'less yer want to. 

Pat. The divil ye say I It's manners ye're tachin' me, ye 
haythen. I've a mind to crack your noggin. 

Per. I done got no noggin. 

Pat. Did ye iver see the loikes o' the ignorance ! What for 
was yer seekin' Mr. Norman ? 

Per. He tole me to meet him hyah. He's clean gone. 

Pat. Gone where ? 

Per. Mashed ! 

Pat. Mashed is it ; was there an accident ? 

Per. No, it was jes' done a little at a time. 

Pat. Squeezed to death by degrees. Do ye really mane some- 
thing has happened Mr. Norman? Did he git between the 
steamboat an' the dock. 

Per. {Orinning.) He wasn't hurt much. I guess he liked it. 

Pat. By my sowl I Mashed and not hurted, an' liked it, too ! 
Where was he mashed ? 

Per. {Laughs.) With dat gal. 

Pat. Faith, that's a nice, comfortable way to be injured. 
How did it happen ? 

Per. {Laughs uproariously.) Did you eber see de like of 
de ignorance ? {Laughs.) 

Pat. The blackguard's makin' fun of me I belave. Do ye 
mean Mister Chester is in love? Then why didn't ye say he 
was love-struck an' be done with it ? 

Per. (Laughs.) Did you eber see de like of de ignorance ? 

Pat. Stop your laughin' or I'll shake your tathe out. {Seizes 
Persimmon hy collar.) 

Enter Stella B. 

8. Pat, father wants you down at the barn. 

Pat. I'll be there immadiately. {E.vit L.) 

Per. Haven't seen nothin' of Mister Chester dis mornin' ? 

8. No, I haven't seen him. 

Per. If you should see him jes' tell him I've done bin hyah. 
{Exits L.) 

8. {Seated by table in attitude of meditation.) Father is very 
gloomy this morning, and Mrs. Blake looks very mysterious. 
I have long thought that there was some secret connected with 
father's life and that Mother Foresight is aware of it. What 
can it be ? I fear that the mental strain will drive him insane. 
What would then become of us ? Well, we were cast away once 
and God took care of us. I will trust Him again. Where can 
Chester be ? Why did he not come back yesterday evening to 
see me as he promised ? Can it be that he was only whiling 
away a passing hour as Dr. Valerian has hinted ? Mother Fore- 
sight has warned me against the doctor. But then he is gallant 



THE DANGER SIGNAL. 29 

to all the ladies. Why should he not be to me ? He is certainly 
accomplished, polite and intelligent. (Sighs.) Oh, dearl I 
wish Chester would come. 

Enter Dr. Valerian L. 

Dr. Ah I how are you to-day, Miss Enfield ? 

S. Quite well, thank you, Doctor. 

Dr. That was a sudden interruption of your festivities, yes- 
terday. 

S. I noticed you did not go at all. Doctor. 

Dr. No, I intended going but did not get started till the 
thunder warned me it was too late. 

8. We all missed you. 

Dr. Tliank you for saying so. I think young Norman will 
go back 1o the city with his father. 

8. I suppose so. 

Dr. He has not called at Bald Point to-day. Well, I suppose 
the anticipation of meeting old friends in the city causes him to 
forget friends here. 

8. Mr. Norman would not forget his friends so easily. 

Dr. Still, a little careless you must admit. 

8. He has some good reason, I know. Who knows but he 
may come y4t? 

Dr. It's not probable. It is now pretty late to run across, 
and the "U . T. Propeller " passes the Island at one in the 
morning. 

8. {Eising turns aside.) Too late ! He'll not come. {Ooes 
aside as if to look out.) 

Dr. Never mind, Stella, we'll get along without him. 

8. Dr. Valerian, you have no right to address me as Stella. 

Dr. I beg pardon, Miss Enfield. But Stella is a very pretty 
name and comes so handy. Then, you know, I've been in the 
house some weeks and am, as it were, one of the family. Do 
you forgive me ? 

8. Yes. {Theymeet down front) 

Dr. Then here's my hand. {Takes Stella's hand. She wipes a 
tear from her eye.) What's this? Weeping? Pshaw! Cheer 
up ; Norman is unworthy of you. 

8. {Starting lack suddenly.) Dr. Valerian, he's the soul of 
honor. 

Dr. But a trifle forgetful of his friends. 

8. { With pride.) I hope you don't think I was crying for 
him. Oh, Doctor, I'm very miserable here, I've so few 
friends I 

Dr. You deserve a better home. May I offer 

8 {Hastily interrupting.) I shall never leave father. His 
health is badly broken. 

Dr. He worries too much. You should all leave here. I 
can get you a situation in the city. 

8. What can we do without means ? I would be willing to 



30 THE DANGER SIGNAL. 

toil every day harder than I do here if it would place father in 
comfort. 

Dr. I can help you. 

8. I cannot accept your help. 

Dr. {Turmng away— aside.) She would make a better man 
of me. {To Stella.) Stella, you had better make a friend of me. 
Your father is in my power. 

8. (Starting.) What do you mean ? 

Dr. He is often moody and violent. I know the cause of it. 
I can hand him over to justice. 

8. (Pleading.) Oh, don't say that! Be merciful 1 Do not 
betray him ! What would you have me do ? 

Dr. That I will fully explain in due time. 

8. I'd die before I'd do anything that would bring sorrow 
to father. 

Dr. He is disgraced already. 

8. I don't believe it. (Bursts into tears and covers her face 
with her hands.) 

Dr. (Aside.) Here's the deuce to pay! (To Stella.) Please 
be calm. I really did not mean to hurt your feelings. 

S. Disgrace 1 cannot bear. (Sinks sobbing into chair.) 

Dr. There need be no public disorace. It is a secret yet. 
So long as you make a friend of 7ne all is well. 

8. (Rises, loipes her eyes and faces him steadily, G.) Dr. Vale- 
rian, do you speak the truth ^ 

Dr. (Quails and turns away L.) Do you doubt me ? 

S. (Meeting Mm.) Dr. Valerian, will you meet me like an 
honest man ? (He faces her.) Do you speak the truth ? 

Dr. (Deliberately.) I do ! (Turns away — aside.) But not 
all of it. 

8. Oh, we're lost, lost ! What will Chester say ? 

Dr. (Aside.) Curse Chester! (To Stella.) Think of what 
the public will say. 

8. (Pleadingly.) Oh, Doctor, have pity on my father ! Don't 
betray him, will you '? 

Dr. No, I will not. That is unless circumstances 

Enter Mother Foresight R. 

Dr. (Aside.) That old woman again! (To Mother F.) If 
you want to tell my fortune, begin at once. (Produces coin.) 

Moth. F. I reject your money as I scorn your insinuation. 

Dr. AVhat is your business here ? 

Moth. F. You well know. Shall I tell it all ? 

Dr. I've no time or inclination to listen to your story.^ If 
you wish to repeat the second-hand tale of some idle gossiper 
do so. (Aside to Mother F.) Tell, if you dare, what happened 
last night. (E.vit L.) 

Moth. F. Stella, beware of that man ! He is dangerous. Ask 
me no questions. Take warning in time. (Exit R^ 

8. Ask me no questions ! I would rather know the worst 
and end this dreadful suspense. (Paces stage.) What shall I 



THE DANGER SIGNAL. 31 

do ? It will be fatal to displease Dr. Valerian and worse to con- 
ciliate him. Oh, that I had been drowned when that ship sank I 
Life to me is a bm'den. It will soon be a curse. (Sinks in chair 

andioeepg.) 

Enter Chester L. 

Ghes. What is the matter, Stella ? 

8. Oh, is that you Chester ? I'm so glad you've come. 

Ghes. I was detained. I could not leave without seeing 
you. 

8. Are you ever coming back ? 

Ghes. Why bless you, yes. I'll be back just as soon as some 
necessary business can be transacted. 

8. I hope you will come just as soon as possible. 

Ghes. That I shall, but what is the cause of your unhappi- 
ness? 

8. Father is not well, you know. I'm afraid his mind is not 
sound. 

Ghes. (Surprised.) Why, I never thought of that. It would 
be terrible if he should become insane here on this lonely point 
of rocks. 

8. It would, but then I might be reconciled if that were alL 

Ghes. If that were all! Great heavens! what could be 
worse ? 

8. There are worse things than disordered intellect. 

Ghes. Stella, you alarm me. What do you mean ? 

8. I think there is something on father's mind, and Dr. Va- 
lerian 

Ghes. (Quickly.) Dr. Valerian! Has he been annoying 
you? 

8. No, he has always been very kind. 

Ghes. If he dares insult you, I'll pitch him over the point 
into the breakers for the sturgeon to pick his bones. What has 
he done ? 

8. Nothing. He promised to assist me if I ever need 
help. 

CJies. I trust you will never need his help, Stella. Do not 
trust him. Let me know everything. Write to me often. Will 
you do so ? 

8. I will. 

Enter Enfield R. 

E. Stella, I have been looking for you. Mr. Norman, will 
you leave us a moment ? I wish to speak with my daughter. 

Ghes. Certainly, Mr. Enfield. (Exit G. L.) 

E. Stella, does young Norman leave the Island to-morrow ? 

8. He does. 

B. To be gone permanently ? 

8. I believe he will be back soon. 

B. (Sternly.) Why does he come back ? Why should the 
rich flaunt their superiority in the faces of the poor ? 

8. Father, you do him an injustice. 



32 THE DANGER SIGNAL. 

E. I've seen too much of the evil doings of those who have 
power. Never trust them. 

8. Chester Norman is neither rich' nor powerful. 

E. Yoa must never see him again. 

8. Father, you are cruel. Don't ask that. 

E. (Aside.) I dare not tell her all. (To 8teUa.) I have the 
best of reasons. Believe me, it is for your good. 

8. Can you tell me the reason, father ? 

E. (Uneasily.) No, no; don't ask me! Go away; leave me 
a few minutes. 

8. (Alarmed.) You are ill ! 

E. Only a little excited at the possibility of losing you. 
(Tenderly 'places Ms hand on her shoulder.) It would break my 
heart to part with you. 

8. Father, you are not well. 

E. It will soon pass away. Go now ; Norah will need orders 
in the kitchen. (She hesitates.) Go. (Exit 8teUa M.) Charles 
Norman is a hard-hearted man. He would claim his child and 
take Stella away. It would have been a sweet revenge to let 
Chester fall irretrievably in love with his own sister I Ha! ha! 
ha ! But I will not be so cruel to her. (Sits.) 

Enter Stella, Chester and Doctor, R. 

8. Father, please let the doctor prescribe for you. 

E. Nonsense ! I am not sick. 

8. Do, just to please me. (Aside.) Doctor, can't you quiet 
his nerves ? 

Dr. Enfield, you have been exposed much to the hot sun 
lately. (Feels his pulse.) You need rest. 

E. (Quietly to doctor.) Let's not indulge in any nonsense. I 
am as well as you are. 

Dr. Your nerves are badly shattered. 

Ches. Dr. Valerian, I trust you will prescribe for Mr. En- 
field. I am sure that he is not well. 

E. (To doctor.) Valerian, I believe I have full as much 
nei've as you yet. 

Dr. (Starts.) Oh, of course I admit that, but nerve is one 
thing, nerves another. 

Ches. Enfield, you must listen to your friends, and take some- 
thing this time, anyway. 

E^ Young man, you are as solicitous about my health as if I 
were your father. 

Ches. I never had a father of my own. 

E. (Jumping up.) What! Aren't you the son of Charles 
Norman ? 

Ches. I am only the adopted son of Mr. Norman. 

E. (Grasping Chester by the hand.) Ah, I thought there was 
no resemblance — (checks himself) — I mean I like your appear- 
ance. Chester Norman, you are welcome to this house whenever 
you please to come. 

Ches. Thank you, Mr. Enfield. (They talk aside.) 



THE DANGER SIGNAL. 33 

Bt. (Aside.) Rather a sudden recovery ! 
S. (To doctor.) I can make nothing out of this. 
Ches. (Going H.) I will see you all again. (Exit H.) 
Dr. He's all right just now — that is if nothing unexpected 
should occur. 
S. Then there is real danger. What shall I do? 
Dr, Nothing ! 

Enter Charles Norman L. 

N. Good evening, Mr. Enfield. How are you to-day ? (Offers 
his hand.) 

E. (Gruffly.) I'm well enough. (Pretends not to notice Nor- 
marl's hand and turns aioay.) 

N. (Aside.) Queer old chap! (To doctor.) Heavy storm 
yesterday ! 

Dr. Very heavy ! I think there will be another this even- 
ing. 

N. Mr. Enfield, has my son Chester been here to-da}- ? 

E. He was ! (Suddenly advancing to Norman.) Norman, you 
must stay with us to-night. It is not safe to risk another 
squall. 

Dr. (Aside) What's up now ? 

N. I came across expecting to meet Chester and return im- 
mediately. I think I'll accept your invitation. I've no mind to 
risk drowning again. 

E. Stella, see that a bed is prepared in the small room for the 
gentleman. 

8. I will attend to it at once. (Exit JR.) 

N. I will stroll up toward where the surveyors are encamped. 
Possibly I may find Chester there. (Exit Norman L.) 

Dr. What's your game now ? 

E. Silence ! " Will you assist ? 

Dr. I have no wish to put myself in danger. 

E. That's because there's no money in it. 

Dr. Have your own opinion. It is a matter of no moment 
to me. 

E. You dare not avenge a dastardly wrong. 

Dr. I dare to do whatever I choose. If you wish to get rid 
of Norman go ahead. 

E. It is too late for me to go back. He has blasted my life. 
He must die ! 

Dr. What is your plan ? 

E. Pitch him over the cliff into the bay. It is only a step 
from the window of that little bedroom. A little chloroform will 
keep him quiet. You must furnish that. 

Dr. I'll have nothing to do with it. 

B. I'll help myself at your medicine case. 

Dr. How will you account for such a peculiar case of drown- 
ing? 

E. Norman always walked in his sleep. It will be easy 
enough to say he walked over the cliff. 



34 THE DANGEli SIGNAL. 

Dr. But if the father stays the son will stay, too. What will 
you do with him ? 

E. Send him down to sleep in the little lodge built by that 
old fellow from the city. It's a cosy place. 

Bute?' Mother F. unobserved R. 

Dr. Remember, I have nothing to do with this. 

E. Except to keep quiet. {Exit doctor L.) 

Moth. F. More mischief afoot ! {Exit B.) 

E. 1 must do it ! A horrible impulse drives me on. Nor- 
man will discover that Stella is his child and take her away 
from me. {Pauses.) If she should discover my awful crime 
she would always hate me. Strive as I will, something impels 
me to crime. I'm in the hands of fate. The public lay a 
score of lives to my charge. What is one more ? {Pacing floor 
nervously.) Oh, I shall go mad! Last night I fancied the 
northern lights painted the words " Northern Belle " on the sky. 
In my dreams I see again that dreadful shipwreck and the death 
struggles, Sometimes, when I gaze fondly on Stella, I think of 
the awful temptation that assailed me when for a moment I 
wanted to toss her back in the raging waters because she was 
his child, after I liad risked my life to save her. Revenge is 
indeed a demon. It will yet drive me mad, and then what will 
become of her ? {Drops into a chair rear.) 

Enter Miss Angle R. 

Miss A. Mr. Enfield! {Pause.) Mr. Enfield! Is the man 
asleep ? Mr. Enfield ! 

E. Oh, it's you. Miss Angle ! What did you want ? 

Miss A. I want to inquire if there will be another storm this 
evening. 

E. How can I tell ? I'm no prophet. 

Miss A. I thought you had got so used to the lakes and the 
climate that you could tell when a storm was coming. That one 
last night was quite dreadful. It was very quite dreadful. 
Don't you think so, Mr. Enfield ? 

E. It was pretty bad. But whether it was severe enough to 
be called "very quite dreadful " or not, I am unable to say. 

Miss A. I'm so alarmed. Peter went out fishing three hours 
ago, and I'm afraid he may get drownded. Oh, if anything 
should happen Peter ! {Agitation mingled iDiih affectation.) 

E. Peter ! Who is Peter ? 

Miss A. Why, Mr. Bullock, to be sure. If the boat should 
upset with him, I know I should die ! 

E. You mean he would die. 

Miss A. Would he really drown ? 

E. Unless he's a capital swimmer, the chances would be 
about ninety-nine to 

Miss A. {With little scream.) Please don't say that, Mr. En- 
field. You put me all in a fluster. Peter is not a good swim- 



THE DaKGtJ^R signal. 35 

mer, I think. How could lie be, you know, when he always at- 
tended to business so closely ? 

E. Well, if Peter gets into the bay it will be some trouble to 
find the body at night, but I'll get the boys out early in the 
morning. {Exit R.) 

Miss A. (Screams and drops in chair.) I know I'll lose Pe- 
ter yet. 

Enter Chester, Per&immon and Pat L. 

Ghes. Are you ill, Miss Angle ? 

Miss A. (J amping up.) Have you seen Peter ? 

Per. Who V 

Miss A. Peter — I mean Mr. Bullock. 

Per. Oh, yes, we seed him. 

Miss A. Oh, tell me, is he drownded ? 

Ches. He is alive and sound. 

Pat. Wid a powerful appetite. 

Miss A. Did he get any fish ? 

Per. Yes'm 'boui a million bites. 

Miss A. What splendid luck ! Fish must be very plenty. 

Per. Not very! Dey was muskeeter bites. 

Miss A. {lynpatiently.) Oh, pshaw! But he must have 
caught some fish. Pat, why didn't you wait and help him carry 
them? 

Pat. That was an aisy job. He got only one an' used that all 
for bait. 

3Iiss A. The idea ! Mr. Norman, what luck had you ? 

N. I wasn't fishing to-day, Miss Angle. I had other duties. 
{Exit R) 

Miss A. Persimmon, where is Peter — I mean Mr. Bullock ? 

Per. He's out in de porch rastlin' wid a big chunk of b'loney 
sassige an' a quart o' buttermilk. 

Miss A. {Scornfully.) Humph ! {Exit R.) 

Per. Say, Pat, let's take Bullock out "pick'rel stickin' " to- 
night. 

Pat. Faith, it's a big job to wade through two or three miles 
of swamp and brush in the dark. 

Per. We'll take a lantern. 

Pat. I've an illegant red lanthern that Mister Enfield got over 
at the railroad station. It's a jewel av a lanthern. 

Enter Doctor and Peter L. 

Dr. Did you catch anything, Bullock ? 

Peter. Not a thing. I had miserable luck. The fish would 
swim all round a bait ana never touch it. 

Per. N'lghVs de bes' time fur fishin'. 

Dr. But not for all kinds of fish. 

Pat. An did ye niver go " pick'rel stickin' " ? 

Peter. Pickerel sticking ! What is that? 

Pat. Ye jist spear the fish when they come within rache 
of ye. 



36 THE DANGER SIGNAL. 

Dr. But how do yoa get close enough to them in the 
dark? 

Per. Dat's easy 'nough. De man who does de stickin' has 
a red lantern. He Stan's somewhah in an inlet near de big lake. 
De others dey form a sort of circle roun' in de marsh, an' ev'ry 
fifteen minutes dey lioller. Dat wakes de pick'rel. Dey see de 
red light an' go fur de spot. Dat man hain't a single thing to 
do but stick 'em wid de spear. 

Dr. Isn't it pretty hard work to stick them all when they are 
plenty ? 

Pat. Faith, it makes the sweat come. 

Peter. Suppose we try it to-night. Will you go, Doctor ? 

Dr. I'm not particularly fond of such sports. Still <witli wink 
to the 'boys) I think this would be amusing. 

Per. Dey jinerally toss up to see who'll git to hold de lantern 
an' stick de fish. Case you see dat's de bes' place. Howsever, 
I'm willin' to gin dat to Mr. Bullock, seein' he'd bad luck dis 
arternoon. 

Pat. I'm willin', too. 

Dr. He's entirely welcome to my place. 

Peter. Do I have a boat ? 

Pat. Faith, ye don't. Ye stand in the wather. 

Per. De boat would wobble, you know, an' scare de pick'rel. 
Let's be gittin' ready. (E.veuat L. all hut doctor.) 

Dr. I knew Bullock was a fool in love, but I thought he had 
sense enough to go a fishing. 

Enter Stella and Chester R. 

Ches. Ah, Doctor, were yon fishing, too, this afternoon ? 

Dr. {Going B.) No, I didn't get time, (dside.) He's got a 
bite, I guess. (Exit L.) 

8. I'm so sorry you are going away to-morrow, Chester. 
{They come toward front G.) 

Ghes. I'll be back as soon as possible. 

8. I dread to be alone so much. 

Ghes. Stella, calm your fears. Your father has seen much 
trouble, but then his mind is in no real danger. 

8. Do you really think so ? 

Ghes. I'm sure of it. There, now, cheer up. Don't be a fool- 
ish girl. Can you not confide in me ? 

8. No, I cannot. There is a trouble which is the burden of 
my life. I have no right to say this much, but it concerns papa, 
and lately I fear some one else has some clue to it and will in- 
jure dear father. 

Ghes. Perhaps I could help you. 

8. I cannot tell you, for I do not know it all myself. I do 
wish 3^ou were not going away. 

Ghes. I will not go if there is any immediate danger. Does it 
concern any one else who is here now ? 

8: Yes. 

Ches. You once spoke of Dr. Valerian. Is he persecuting 



THE DANGER SIGNAL. 37 

you with attentions? If so, I will see that you are not troubled 
farther. 

8. Oh, please do not say anything yet ! I do not fear him. 

Ches. No, you need not. I believe him a villain at heart, but 
then his conquests can only be over weak girls who are willing 
to listen to him. And then your father is always able to protect 
you. (Looks at watch.) Stella, I must speak with Persimmon 
before I go. I will then come to bid you good-bye. (Going L., 
exit 8. i2.) 

Enter Norman L. 

N. Chester, I know pretty well where to find you now . 

Ghes. This is not a very bad place, father. Decidedly cosy, 
I think. 

N. Cosy it certainly is, Chester, but you are wasting time 
loitering here. Do you know that I have laid out a career for 
you? 

Giles. I suppose every man lays out a career of some kind 

N- But yours is to be no ordinary career . Do not ruin your 
prospects by falling in love with this girl. 

Ghes. Stella Enfield is no ordinary girl. She is a true 
lady. 

N. Nonsense ! She has no education, no money, no position. 
I forbid it. 

Ghes. Father, you are unjust to the girl. 

N. Unjust, eh ? Oh, that's what young folks always say when 
they cannot have their own sweet will in love matters ! We 
will end the discussion, if you please, sir. I say I will not have 
it. Do you understand me ? 

Ghes. I understand perfectly. Father, excuse me ; I want to 
see Persimmon. (Exit L.) 

N. I'm glad the boy didn't fly into a passion. He shows 
sense in the matter. The girl is very pretty and uncommonly 
sensible. I can't help admiring his taste, anyway. (Looks at 
watch.) It is getting well on in the evening. I'll take a look at 
the weather and retire. 

Enter Stella B. 

8. Good evening, sir. 

N. Good evening, young lady. (Going L.) Fine young wo- 
man, that ! (Exit L. ) 

8. ■ I should like to know what Mr. Norman said to Chester. 
He is so stern. I am almost afraid of him. 

Enter Enfield L. 

E (Eagerly.) Where is Norman ? He is not going to row 
over to the Pine Island House is he ? 
8. I don^t know. There is no danger, is there ? 
E. Oh, I guess not ! I asked him to stay here to-night. 
8. I will tell him it is not best for him to go, if you say so. 
E: No, don't tell him that. I've asked him to stay here. 



38 THE DANGER SIGNAL. 

S. Father, you look tired. You should retire for the 
night. 

B. I am all right. I couldn't sleep just now. Go to bed 
yourself. Good-night! 

3. Good-night, father. (Exit 8. B.) 

E. There is no sleep for me this night. Stella thinks I am 
only a little nervous. If she knew all she would despise me. 

Enter Mother F. unobserved R. 

E. She fears that I may go mad. That would be horrible 

Enter Doctor L. 

Dr. Enfield, are you still of the same mind ? 

E. Yes ! Are you going to show the white feather ? 

Dr. I have no interest in this matter. 

E. Dr. Valerian, let me tell you a little story. Once upon a 
time there was a doctor in the great metropolis of the West who 
was a sort of mesmerist, psychologist, and what not. Mesmer- 
ism didn't pay very well just then, and fast living put him into 
debt. In his extremity he forged a check on Mr. Norman for a 
very large sum. 

Dr. What's all this to me ? 

E. Wait and I'll tell you, When I was captain of the 
" Northern Belle," one day a passenger put a little packet into 
my hands for safe keeping. He never called for it, and it found 
its way by some chance into my private papers. It contained 
private memoranda, some of which explained just how money 
was to be raised. Let me produce those papers and Dr. Vale- 
rian will find himself behind the bars, for your identity is easily 
established with that of Dr. Fowne. 

Dr. Have you told any one? 

E. Not a soul ! Are you ready now to help me and save 
yourself ? 

Dr. Yes, on condition you surrender that packet. 

E. You shall have it as soon as the job is done. You must 
carry out our programme. You stroll past Norman's win- 
dow in the moonlight smoking. Get him to join you iu a cigar. 
Stroll close as possible to the clifE and I'll join you at the right 
moment. {Exit R.) 

Dr. That man is a madman ! The peculiar glare of his eye 
and the expression of his face all indicate it. It is dangerous 
to thwart him. {Going Z.) I'll put Norman on his guard. 
{Exit L.) 

Moth. F. {Emerges.) This is fine doings ! Murder planned 
again deliberately and above board. I think Mr. Enfield must 
be insane, or the evil one has taken possession of him ! As for 
Dr. Valerian — well, well, that individual always had him. I'll 
spoil their plans. ( Voices heard outside.) Who is this ? 

Enter Peter L. 

Moth. F. Only the fisherman! Good evening, Mr. Bui- 



THE DANGER SIGNAL. 39 

lock. How are you now ? 

P. {Gruffly.) Frozen to death 1 Where's Norah? I'd like 
some hot coffee. 
Moth. F. I'll see what can be done for you. (Exit R.) 
P. What a confounded fool I've been to go out there and 
stand in the cold water of that inlet till I nearly froze holding a 
red lantern, waiting for pickerel! The thing looks reasonable 
enough. Animals are attracted by light; why shouldn't pick- 
erel come up to a light and let a fellow stick them ? I guess it's 
because the pickerel has more sense than I have. I'm as hungry 
as a wolf ! 

Enter Chester^ Pat and Persimmon. 

Ghes. Why, Bullock, have you been out taking a walk, too ? 
I met the boys down by the swamp. 

Peter. (Or'owls.) The man who goes out here after night is 
a darn fool. 

Per. Mistah Bullock, whah's youah pickerl ? 

Peter. I didn't get any. I don't believe they come to a lan- 
tern, anyway. 

Pat. Faith, yez didn't wait long enough. It takes a fish a 
long time to make up his mind. 

Ghes. Hark ! ( Voices outside low.) Do you hear that ? We 
have disturbed the house. 

Pat. It's the master in one uv his cranky spells talkin' to 
himself. We must git out o' here or the deuce will be to pay. 

Enter Mother F., R. 

Moth. F. Silence ! Come this way ; you'll be wanted. Wait 
till you see the red lantern give the " danger signal." 
Ghes. What is it? 
Moth. F. Come. You'll know soon enough ! (Exeunt R.) 

Filter Doctor and E., L. 

E. {In low voice.) Everybody is in bed by this time. In half 
an .hour we'll decoy Norman out. He's a very light sleeper, so 
it will be easy. 

Dr. We'll make short work of him. {Mother F. softly opens 
the door L. and listens) 

E. And then my vengeance shall be complete. Doctor, you 
must let me have the satisfaction of hurling him over the 
cliff 

Dr. All right. 

E. It is time now. We need wait no longer. Come! {Mother 
F. exposes the lantern and flashes a red light into the room crying^ 
''Help, help!'') 

Dr. What does this mean ? 

E. Discovered ! 

Dr. Burglars, I should say 



40 THE DANGER SIGNAL. 

GhesteVy Pat, Persimmon and Bullock rush in L. 

Ches. Villains, surrender ! 

Br. {Pulls a pistol.) Who are you? {Chester dashes pistol 
aside and seizes doctor by the throat. Persimmon and Pat seize 
Enfield.) 

E. Do you assault a man in his own house ? 

Pat. Faith, it's to keep yez from saltin' somebody else. 

Ghes. {As doctor attempts to release himself.) Keep still awhile, 
my boy. We want a little explanation of this affair. 

Dr. Sir, you have no right to demand explanations. Release 
me I 

Ghes. Time enough for that. We find you under suspicious 
circumstances. Explanations are in order. 

E. Do not ask them, Chester. 

Ghes. Painful as it may be, some clearing up of this affair is 
necessary It cannot be covered up. 

E. {Bows his head.) So be it. Mrs. Blake, go on. 

Enter Norman, Stella, Norah and Miss A. B. hastily dressed. 

N. What is the cause of this disturbance ? 

Pat. I belave it's larceny or felony or heresy, some such vi- 
olent crime. 

Moth. F. That man {pointing to doctor) and Mr. Enfield, who 
is half crazed, have plotted a crime. 

Dr. Who are you, woman ? ' 

Moth. F. Oh, I know you well, Dr. Valerian. , When you 
were only plain Dr. Fowne you married my only sister, a mere 
child in her innocence and beauty. Your neglect of her and 
your disgraceful conduct caused her to die of a broken heart. 

Dr. {Sarcastically) Is that all ? Mr. Norman, release me. 
I am answerable. {Chester releases him.) 

N. Mother Foresight, what is the crime you charge against 
these men ? 

Moth. F. A plot to murder you, sir. 

Miss A. Murder! That's too awful quite I Are you hurt, 
Peter ? 

Peter. No, I'm safe, dear. 

N. Mr. Enfield, have you nothing to say in your defense . 

E. Yes, Norman, I have much to say. I am not Enfield, but 
Captain Williamson of the " Northern Belle I " 

N. {Starting.) You Captain Williamson! 

E. Norman, I owe all my misery to you. You robbed me of 
a high position in the army ; you disgraced and ruined me as a 
sailor. I have twice attempted your life. Do with me as you 
will. 

Stella. {Flinging her arms around him.) Oh, father, father, 
we are ruined ! {To N.) He was not in his right mind I 

E. Stella, I am indeed ruined, but there is happiness in store 
for )'ou. {To Norman.) Mr. Norman, you remember that your 
little daughter, in charge of a nurse, took passage on the 
" Northern Belle." 



THE DxiNGER SIGNxlL. 41 

N. How can I ever forget it ! 

E. On that dreadful night the nurse was lost, but I saved the 
child. I restore her to you now. Stella, here is your father I 

iV. What, my child ! This my child 1 Can it be true ? 

E. It is true. 

Stella. My father ! Is this strange, proud man my father ? 

Moth. F. He is 1 

N. My child ! My precious child 1 (Glasps her in his arms.) 

E. I have nothing left to live for now. 

Stella. (Ooing to Enfield.) I will never leave you. You are 
the only father I ever knew. I can never forget your kindness. 
Mr. Norman, may I not stay ? This poor old man has suffered 
too much already. 

N. Williamson, or Enfield, I have indeed wronged you. I 
tried to make amends when I placed you as commander of my 
vessel. That awful disaster ruined all. You mayhave been 
careless, but I now believe you were innocent of crime. Will 
you forgive me ? 

E. Can you forgive me after what I have attempted ? 

N. The shattered, broken mind of a man driven to despera- 
tion is not always responsible. I freely forgive. {Thty shake 
hands.) Stella will come to live with me, and you must quit 
this place and live near us. 

Stella. That will be so nice, and Chester— oh, I never thought 
—he is my brother 1 (Sadly.) Mr. Norman, I will stay here. 

E. Poor child ! I dreaded this. The blow has fallen on you 
at last instead of on my worthless head. 

Stella. You tried hard to prevent our meeting. I see now 
why. Well, it's all over. 

iV. No, Stella, it is not all over. Chester, why don't you 
speak up like a man? Do you want to marry Stella.' 

Ches. I do. .J. 

2V Then you shall. Stella, Chester is the son of a very distant 
relative of mine, and I adopted him. My own boy died very 
young. 

Ches. (At Stella's side.) Then you shall be my wife, and your 
foster father here shall be one of the family. 

Aloth. F. And what will you do with this scamp here ? 

E. He is innocent of evil intention. He tried hard to per- 
suade me against this rash step. I wish, Doctor, that other mat^ 
ter was as easily disposed. ^r ^t 

Br. Ha ! ha ! You believe me a forger. Mr. Norman, what 
became of that fellow, Fowne, who forged your check for 
$5,000 ? 

N. He was sent to State's prison. „ „,, ,, , „ 

I>r. So you see I am not that Fowile, Enfield. Mother Fore- 
sight, you evidently believe me capable of any enormity. I have 
been 'a very bad husband, and I am ashamed to say a poor cit- 
izen. I still am a medical humbug like many of the profession, 
but thank God I am not an out and out villain! 
Moth. F. I knew you had the talent for it. 



43 THE DANGER SIGNAL. 

Dr. I had. 

Pat. What did yez do with them talents ? 

Norah. Whist yer blarney 1 

Pat. Faith, yez niver could find a napkin big enough to 
hould them. 

Per. Mus 'a rented a warehouse to store 'em in. 

Pat. Faith I think 

Norah. Pat, let yer betters talk. 

Dr. I have been a bad man and deserve the scorn of honest 
men, I have disgraced my family and brought shame to my 
friends. It would be useless to say anything in my defense now. 
But this I will say, I have done much good, too. My life is not 
all evil. Mrs. Blake, you warned Stella of me, and rightly, too. 
But as God is my judge I never entertained an evil thought 
against her. Try to temper your judgment with mercy. 

Moth. F. Thank heaven, all is well at last ! 

Miss A. And Peter, too ! 

Peter. Nonsense, my dear ! / can take care of myself, I 
fancy. 

Per. {Aside.) An' a pickerl, too. 

N. We may all be thankful that things have proved no worse. 

E. To you, Mrs. Blake, we owe this fortunate termination of 
what might have been a sad night for us all. 

Pat. {faking up lantern.) An' I'll be afther takin' good care 
of The Danger Signal ! 

SITUATIONS. 

c. 

^. -ot l^or,Stel.,Ches,En.,J\Irs.B. ^ ^ 

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CONTENTS OF NO. 1. 



Keep the Mill A-going. 

Faces in the Fire. 

In School Days. 

The Two Roads. 

Extreme Unction. 

Baron Grimalkin's Death. 

Words and Their Uses. 

Fritz's Troubles. 

Two Christmas Eves. 

An Interview Between the School 

Directors and the Janitor. 
To the Memory of the late Brigham 

Yonng. 
How Liab and I Parted. 
Old Grimes' Hen. 
The Average Modern Traveler. 
At My Mother's Grave. 
The Newsboy's Debt. 
Mrs. Potts' Dissipated Husband. 
I See the Point. 
The Professor in Shafts. 
Mr. Sprechelheimer's Mistake. 
God's Time. 
The Little Folks. 
The Old Schoolmaster. 
The Revolutionary Rising. 
Pat's Letter. 
How to Go to Sleep. 
Nothing. 

De Pen and De Swoard. 
A Greyport Legend— 1797. 
The Life-Boat is a gallant Bark. 
Birthday Gifts. 
The Superfluous Man. 
Sockery Setting a Hen. 



The Water that Has Passed. 

Medley— Mary"s Little Lamb. 

The Launch of the Shap, 

Aunt Kindly. 

Evening at the Farm. 

Battle of Beal An' Duine. 

Passing Away. 

Mark Twain and the Interviewer. 

Daybreak. 

True Life. 

Modern Loyalty. 

Unfinished Still. 

Allow for the Crawl. 

The Silent Tower of Bottreaux. 

Gentility. 

The Drunkard. 

The Poetical Patch Quilt. 

What is Life? 

Art Thou Living Yet? 

New Year's Chime. 

Song of the Chimney. 

A Domestic Tempest. 

Common Sense. 

How Mr. Coffin Spelled it. 

The Old Man in the Palace Car. 

Ego and Echo. 

A^Nic^ht Picture. 

A Penitent. 

Rum's Ruin. 

The Babies. 

What Is It to Me? 

Our First Commander. 

Horseradish. 

The Doom of Claudius and Cynthia. 



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CONTENTS OF No. 2. 

Albert Drccker, Pathetic Thomas J. Uyatt 5 

Better in the Morning, Pathetic Rev. Leunder 8. Coan 6 

Blue Sky Somewhere Vera 9 

Wounded, Battle Poem J. W. Watson Ig 

Papa's Letter, Pathetic , 14 

Grandfather's Ptcverie, Pathetic Theodore Parker 16- 

The Old Village Choir Benj. F. Taylor 18 

At the Party Elizabeth Stuart Phelps 19 

Komauce at Home, Humorous Fanny Fern 21 

The Legend of the Organ Builder Harper's Magazine 22 

I Vash So Glad I \ ash Here, very Humorous 25 

Der Dog uud der Lobster, Humorous Saul Sertrew 26 

What Was His Creed? 28 

Dedication of Gettysburg Cemetery Abraham Lincoln 29 

Time Turns the Table, Excellent 30 

The Man Who Hadn't Any Objection, Humorous 32 

The Soldier's Mother, Sentimental 33 

*'De Pervisious. Josiar." Humorous 34 

A Response to Beautiful Snow, Sentimental Sallie J. Hancock 35 

The Defence of Lucknow, Heroic Tennyson 36 

A Model Discourse, Humorous 41 

My Darling's Shoes <© 

The Volunteer Soldiers of the Union Robert G. Ingersoll 44 

Life, Compilation Mrs. H. A. Darning 46 

The Old-Fashioned Mother 47 

Be 'Sperience ob do Reb"rend Quacko Strong, Humorous 48 

A Heart to Let 50 

Jimmy Butler and the Owl, Humorous Anonymous 51 

Presentiments, Pathetic T. S. Denison 54 

Eloquence or Oratory 56 

Raising the Flag at Sumter Henry Ward Beecher 57 

Parrhasius and the Captive N. P. Willis 59 

Portent Celia Thaxter .62 

He Wasn't Ready, Humorous ^ 

The Old Clock in the Corner Eugene J. Hall 64 

An Illustration, Fine Description ... Rev. PJiilln Erohn, B. D. 66 

The Seven Stages \.. .Anonymous 68 

The Bells of Shandon Francis Mahony 69 

Circumlocution on The House that Jack Built, Fine 71 

The Brakeman goes to Church, Humorous Burdette 73 

Address to Class of '77, Knox College President Bateman 75 

Bay Billy, Battle Incident Frank H. Gassaway 78 

The Flood and the Ark, Humorous Darkey Sermon 89 

The Steamboat Race Mark Twain 85 

Battle of Gettysburg Chas. F. Ward 90 

A Connubial Eclogue, Humorous .1. G. Saxe 93 

The Chambered Nautilus , Oliver W. Holmes 95 

Ascent of Fu-si-Yama Bora Schoonmaker Soper 96 

The Musician's Tale, Splendid Sea Tale Lonafellow 98 

Vera Victoria ..HJI". Soper 104 

Ruining the Minister's Parrot, very Funny , 106 

The Irish Philosopher, Humorous 109 



NOTHING BEHER 



THAN THE 

scx2..a.:e=>-eook: 
RECITATION SERIES, 



PRICE POST-PAID. PAPER COVER, 25c. 



"There is such a variety of prose and poetry, pathos, fun and narrative as is 
not often found in the compass of one small book." — Practical Teacher, 



CONTENTS OF No. 3. 

Flash— The Fireman's story Will CarUton 

A Smooth Path Millie C. Pomeroy 

The Ihree Friends, Humorous Bicrdette 

Mosses— Earth's Humblest Children J. Rtiskiti 

The Nineteenth Century Teacher, Humorous 

The Blind Man and his Candle, A Fable J. G. Saxe 

A Thunder Storm, Fine Description A. P. Miller 

He Wouldn't Hush, Humorous 

The Bells Edgar A . Poe 

The Blacksmith of Bottle Dell James Maurice Thompson 

What Farmer Green Said 

Napoleon at Rest J. Pierp07it 

Benedict Arnold's Death-bed George Lippard 

Soliloquy, Humorous c By a Girl of the Period 

One Cent and Costs, Humorous Boston Globe 

Poet and Painter Miss H. R. Hicdson 

Maud Muher's Moving-, Humorous 

What is Ambition ? Fine Description N. P. Willis 

Kentucky Philosophy, Very Funny Harper's Monthly 

The Problem of Life, Fine Theodore Tilton 

Praise of Little Women, Excellent H. W. Longfellow 

Address to Class of '77 National School of Oratory Pres. Shoemaker 

Rizpah, Fine Pathos Mrs. Lncv Blinn 

Last Charg-eof Ney J. T. 'Headley 

Decoration Day Speech, Fine Oration Col. R. G. higersoll 

Soldier' Re-union Dr. F. S. Betmett 

Music Hath Charms, Humorous Rockland Courier Gazette 

Am Life Wuf de Libin ? Comic Detroit Free Press 

The Diamond Wedding 

The Palace, Descriptive T.S. Denison 

Driving- a Cow, Humorous Burlington Hawkey e 

A Condensed Novel 

God Wills It So. A Plea and Answer, Temperance 

Mr. Middlerib's Experiment or Movement Cvire for Rheu- 
matism, Humorous Burlington Havjkeye 

Medley H.M.Soper 

Vat You Please, Humorous Wm. B. Fowle 

Opportunity for Effort Georo^e R. Kussell 

Battle of CanniE, Fine Description Ehen Hale Wells 

Pierre La Forge's Dream Eta Katherine Mink 

Quousque Tandem O'Catalina ? Humorous Rev. A . L. Frisbie 

Deacon Kent in Politics, First Rate Rev. A . L. Frisbie 

Charge of the Lightning Judge Ray Porter, Esq. 

The Wanderer's Bell Margaret J. Preston 

A Fish Story John Brownjohn 

An American Sam Weller, Humorous 

Little Graves, Pathetic Lillie Sicrbridge Curry 

Magdalen Edgar L. Wakeman 

The First Settler's Story, Pathetic Will M. Carleton 



THE PERSECUTED DUTCH3IAN. 

A. farce, by S. Barry ; 6 male, 3 female. Time, 50 m. Dutch comedian the lead- 
Jh,g character, irate pjirent aud his daughter, Irishman, lover, etc. This splendid 
farce is always a favorite. Its telling and ludicrous situations never fail to bring 
down the bouse. Scenes interior in a hotel. 

A KISS IN THE DARK. 

A farce, by J. B. Buckstone ; 3 male, 2 female. Time, 40 m. This play is eo 
Bimple in construction that it is very easily presented. The ludicrous denoue- 
ment of the piece brings out everything to the entire satisfaction of rJl concerned, 
and much to their amusement. Scenes, interior. 

MT TURN NEXT. 

A capitarl farce, by T. J. Williams ; 4 male, 3 female. Leading man, Twitters, 
an apothecary, just married and extremely timid, walking gents, leading lady, 
Mrs. Twitters, formerly a widow, walking lady and soubrette. Time, 45 m. 
Illustrates the difficulties an apothecary encountered through marrying in haste. 
The sufferings of Twitters are excruciatingly funny. Scenes, interior. 

THE LIMERICK BOT; Or, Paddy*s Mischief. 

A farce ; 5 male, 2 female. Characters, Irish comedian, eccentric and irascible 
old man, gardener, etc., nervous widow and her daughter. Scenes, interior and 
exterior. Time, 45 m. This is one of the most popular farces ever written. 

TM NOT MESILF AT ALL. 

A farce, by C. A. Maltby; 3 male, 2 female. Time, 25 m. Characters, Irish 
comedian, old man, military man, walking lady, chambermaid. Very funny, and 
easily presented. Scenes, interior. 

LOUVA, THE PAUPER, 

A drama in five acts ; 9 male and 4 female characters. Time, 1 hour 45 m. 
Contains a good Yankee characterand a humorous darkey character, villain, gypsey 
crone, etc. This is an intensely interesting and pathetic play. It admits of 
striking scenic effects, and is a strong and popular play for amateurs. Scenes eX' 
terior and interior. 

Act I., Louva's tyrants. Act II., freedom promised and denied. Act III., the 
trial. Act IV., Sight. Act V., pursuit ; death in the mountains; retribution. 

"Send sample copy of a play that is as good as Louva, the Pauper. That took 
splendidlv here."— (?. J. Bnitsbach, Minier, III., Dramatic Club. 

"Peleg Pucker, the Yankee peddler, is inimitable."— Praciaca^ Teacher, Chi- 
cago, If'. 

A SOLDIER OF FORTUNE. 

A comedy-drama in five acts by Warren J. Brier; 8 male, 3 female. Time, 2 
hours, 20 m. This fascinating play can not fail to be universally popular. The 
plot is well laid, and the incidents decidedly dramatic. Its humor is rich and 
abundant. Fine opportunities for stage setting. Middle aged gentlemen, young 
gentlemen, villain, Irishman, darkey comedian, juvenile comedian, old maid and 
young ladies. 

"We were well pleased with 'A Soldier of Fortune.' Do not think we have 
had a better piay."— "FT. H. Stewart, Sec. Dramatic Club., Le Sener, Minn. 

"It is the play for amateurs."—^. J. Hale, Grass Lake, Mich. 
UNDER THE LAURELS. 

A drama in five acts by T. S. Denison; a stirring play, fully equal to Louva the 
Pauper. Five male. 4 female. Time, 1 hour, 45 m. Leading lady, villain, 
comedian, darkey comedian, soubrette. Strong scenic effects. Storm scene. 
Scenes interior. 

Act I. Conspiracy. Act II. The lost inheritance. Act III. The haunted 
cabin, the storm in the mountains, Cliflville jail, the regulators. Act IV. Des- 
pair. Act V. Escape, capture, rescue. AlFs well. 

" We rendered ' Under the Laurels ' to a large and critical audience, with tell- 
ing effect. It is a capital play and we shall r,iy more of your plays." — Dramatic 
Club, Danville, Ind. 

9 



THE LITTLE FOLKS 

WILL FIND JUST THE THING TO PLEASE THEM IX 

By MARY J, JACQUES. 



This book is neru and novel. Nothing- just like it has ever been published. It 
eombines rare amusemefii with profitable iiistruciioji. It serves a threefold object. 
Public Efilertainmetit, Daily Instruction, Home Readiiig. It is a book 

, FOR SCHOOL, CHURCH, or PARLOR EHTERTAINMENTS. 

While nearly all the exercises in the book may be used for public entertitin- 
ments, Part II furnishes a choice variety of exercises in lanj^uag-e, numbers, ani- 
mated nature, motion songs, and marching exercises, adapted to popular tunes, etc., 

FOR DAILY USE IN THE SCHOOL ROOM. 

These exercises are presented in such a pleasing manner that they can not fail 
to be popular. 

They will greatly assist the hard-zuorked teacher of smaller children in city or 
cotmtry. 

"WORK AND PLAY" WILL FURNISH YOU: 

Marching Exercises, adapted to popular tunes, 
Motion Songs, adapted to popular tunes. 
Games in Grammar, 
Games in Geography, 

Games in Arithmetic, ^ 

Exercises on Trees, Plants, Flowers, ^ 

Exercises on Animals, 

Exercises in Anatomy and Physiology. 
The Seasons, Sun, Earth, Winds, Zones. 
The Senses, Races of Men, 

Industries, etc. 

"WORK AND PLAY" WILL FURNISH YOU THE VERY BEST, MOST 
ORIGINAL, AND MOST ATTRACTIVE 

Fairy Flays, Charades, Tableaux, Dialogues, Pantomimes, 
Allogories, Pantomime Tableaux, Declamations, etc. 

This book is origittal throughout. It displays talent of the highest order. Many 
of the poems deserve to be committed to memory, and their lessons treasured for 
life. Everything in it has apoiiit. 

IT 1^ A BOOJ£ FOB HOMF BFADIIIfC}, 

Or a choice g-ift book of permanent value for your little friends. 

HANDSOMELY PRINTED, ILLUSTRATED COVER. 

Bound in Strong Manila Boards, (137 pp) post paid, 50 Cents. 

** Designed as a help in teaching ana amusing young children, and admirably 
adapted to the purpose.'" — Boston Commonvjealth. 

' " Her suggestions are useful, her whole book is very bright, and the exercises 
suggested are both easily done and effective." — loxoa Normal Alonthly. 

'• We can assure our readers that if thej' want something new and attractive in 
this line they can find it in ' Work and Play.' " — Illinois School "Journal. 



iiilliiiiiiiiliiili . 

016 112 388 2 • 



Amateurs' Supplies. 



TABLEAU ULGHTS. 

We invite the attention of the public to the merits of these lights. They are in- 
dispensable to the proper i)roduction of tableaux. In fact a tableau has usually 
little effect unless strongly illuminated. These lights are made of all colors, but 
red, green and white answer nearly all purposes, and are the most popular. 

These lights are perfectly safe and easily used. They need only to be placed in 
a dish or on a brick and ignited with a match. 

These lights are put up neatly in packages, each suiRcient for two representa- 
tions of a tableau. Price by express, 50 cents. 

JV. S. Please notice that they can not be mailed. 

Half pound, bij express, %1 25. Will make eight tableaux. Pound, by express, 
$2.25. 

JV. B. In sending fire in bulk we will not send less than half pound of the same 
color. 

MAGNESIUM LIGHT. 

This consists of a small piece of magnesium ribbon, a metal which may be 
ignited with a common match. It gives a very brilliant whitish light. Everyone 
snould see this beautiful light. 

Price, by mail postpaid, twenty-five cents. 

^ BURNT CORK. 

Per box, by express, 40 cents 

WHISKERS AND MUSTACHES. 

Side whiskers and mustache $1 .50 

Side whiskers without mustache 1 .09 

Full beard 1 .75 

Mustaches and chin beard 3.09 

Imperial (with wax) 30 

Mustaches (with wax) 40 



At $4.50. 

White, old man, 

Continental, 

Iron gray, old man, 

Yankee, 

Irish, 

Crop (all colors). 



WIGS. 

At $1.75. 

Negro, old man, 
Negro, end man, 
Negro wench, 
Clown, 
Chinaman [pigtail.] 



Rent of any wi^ one night $1.00, second night half price. The person renting 
must pay charges both ways in advance. 

All the above goods are guaranteed to be good. 

Wigs, whiskers and mustaches will be sent by mail when cash accompanies the 
order. » 

C. O. D.— Pcrsotis ordering goods C. O. D. must remit charges both ways in 
advance. Rented goods will always be sent C. O. D. ,^ 

We can furnish any article needed by any teurs, whether it is found on this list 
©r not. 



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